Results 1,041-1,060 of 4,707 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Food Industry (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: Deputy my officials have informed me that China reported in January 2023 that its population had fallen for the first time in 60 years. The country's strict one-child policy which was implemented from 1980 to 2015 to respond to high levels of population growth has been indicated as a reason for the decline. The decline in birth rate whilst significant is only one factor impacting on the...

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

Neale Richmond: The role of Lineworker is considered to fall under the Standard Occupational Classification code 5249 - Electrical and electronic trades which is currently on the ‘Ineligible Occupations List’ and, as such, cannot be considered for an employment permit. Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Unions (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: I note the Recommendations in the Report. The Report suggests that the concerns of employees raised in relation to technological surveillance can be addressed in two ways: through collective bargaining between employers and employee representatives, and through statutory regulation. In relation to collective bargaining, it has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: On 4 May 2023, the Government gave approval for the priority drafting of the Plan of Action on Collective Redundancies following Insolvency Bill. The Bill will deliver on important Programme for Government commitments and serves to implement the remaining commitments in the Plan of Action on Collective Redundancies following Insolvency. The Plan of Action on Collective Redundancies following...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Unions (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: It is my understanding that a provisional liquidator has been appointed to the company. The Companies Act 2014 provides safeguards to ensure that a liquidation process, including where a provisional liquidator has been appointed, complies with the relevant statutory requirements. The Companies Act 2014 allows for any creditor, including employees, of the company to apply to the court for a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: The Sick Leave Act 2022, which commenced on 1 January 2023, introduced a new statutory entitlement to employer-paid sick leave. This Act provides protection to employees who do not currently have employer-paid sick pay schemes, many of whom are low-paid and cannot afford to miss work. As a starting point, the scheme provides an entitlement to 3 days of employer-paid sick leave in the case...

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

Neale Richmond: The current processing dates in respect of Employment Permit applications as of 8th May 2023 are as follows:Standard new applications 12 business days.Standard Renewal applications 14 business days.Standard Critical Skills applications 12 business days.Trusted Partner new applications 11 business days.Trusted Partner Renewal applications 10 business days.Trusted Partner Critical Skills...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Unions (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: I extend my sympathies to the former workers of Rehab who have been made redundant. I fully appreciate that this is a vulnerable cohort of the workforce and how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families. At the time of the job losses concerned, dedicated staff in the Department of Social Protection worked directly with the employees to ensure they received their...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Unions (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: Ireland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests in the first instance with the employer, the workers and their representatives. I would urge the parties to come together in an effort to resolve the issues which should hopefully lead to a resolution to the...

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

Neale Richmond: The public consultation launching the next review of the employment permits occupations lists for 2023 will take place this summer. Following the completion of the consultation process, an evidence based review of the Ineligible Occupations and the Critical Skills list will be carried out. The review will take into account the submissions made through the consultation and will also be...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Bodies (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: The current budget for Enterprise Ireland for 2023 is set out below 2023 Budget €'000 DETE Exchequer Funding 524,773 Own Resource Income (Estimated)* 82,223 Total Budget 2023 606,996 The estimated cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Bodies (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: In 2022, Enterprise Ireland had an investment income target, as part of its Own Resource Income (ORI) sanction, of €69m and it received €87m proceeds from investment activity. In 2023, as part of the annual Own Resource Income sanction request from DPER, Enterprise Ireland has an investment income target of €75m from investment activity. Any excess ORI generated...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Bodies (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: Monies generated by Enterprise Ireland from investments are classified as Own Resource Income (ORI). The amount of ORI retained by Enterprise Ireland is subject to annual sanction by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is used, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland’s Exchequer allocation, to fund its activities. Any excess ORI generated above the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Bodies (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: The staff of the Health and Safety Authority is made up of those in administration and inspector grades. The inspector grades comprise of Grade I (senior inspectors) as well as Grade II and Grade III inspectors. Inspectors operate across all our mandates which include occupational health and safety, chemicals, accreditation, and market surveillance of products. The majority of the Health and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Workplace Relations Commission (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: Delivering balanced regional growth and sustainable local job creation is a core objective of this Government and is a key component in the recently published White Paper on Enterprise. The White Paper emphasises the role my department and agencies continue to play in achieving this objective through direct assistance to businesses as well as promotion and enhancement of the regional...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone, including people with disabilities, intending to start or grow a business. In that regard, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as the Department of...

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

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 167, 168 and 169 together. I will reply to all four questions submitted by the Deputy together. There are currently 1,629 employment permit applications in the processing queue. As of the 8thMay 2023 the processing dates in respect of Employment Permit applications are as follows: - Standard new applications 12 business days. - Standard Renewal...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (11 May 2023)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. My Department’s Statement of Strategy sets out a vision of making Ireland the best place to succeed in business in all parts of our country, with vibrant enterprises, more high-quality employment, growing trade, fair workplaces and higher productivity. The past two years have seen strong employment growth and my Department, through...