Results 1,181-1,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: We have, along with the decisions of recent months, made a decision to increase the number of social housing acquisitions by 1,500 this year and supply an additional 1,000 homes through targeted leasing initiatives this year and next. We have amended the capital advance leasing facility used by approved housing bodies so they can provide more homes faster. There is a long list after that. ...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: We believe in both.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: We believe people who want to buy their own homes need a leg up from the State to do that. The Deputy does not believe that. We believe in affordable housing, cost rental and social housing. We added over 10,000 properties to the social housing stock last year, unlike Sinn Féin’s performance in Northern Ireland.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: The first thing I want to address is the Deputy’s statement that multinationals do not believe us any more. The relationship between this Government and companies providing foreign direct investment in Ireland has never been stronger. That is why we are seeing the kind of corporation tax revenue streams we see this year and which are predicted for next year and the year after....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: These projects are getting under way and being accelerated. Through a combination of social housing, affordable housing, affordable rental, cost rental, supported rental accommodation and private housing delivery, we need to get to between 40,000 and 50,000 housing units per year. We know that. We need to be above 10,000 social houses per year and there needs to be a significant mix of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: Businesses are voting with their feet on Ireland and are coming here in bigger numbers than ever before. What is the Deputy talking about?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: Of course they are concerned about housing and so are we.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: No. I am saying they have faith in this Government, and the proof of that is in the numbers. Of course they have a concern around housing. So do we and so does the Deputy. The question is how we respond to that. The Deputy casually forgets where my party came into government and where the country was at that point: under IMF control in terms of finances. We had a completely broken...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of housing again, as she does most weeks. The Government is more than aware of the pressures on many families across the country. We made a decision that extending the ban on evictions would make the problem worse, not better, and I believe that was the right decision to make. We are putting billions of euro into ensuring we provide the housing...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: She could also be a bit more honest in respect of her party’s performance when it has been in government and held housing ministries. In Northern Ireland, the figure of less than 900 social houses for last year is a decrease on the previous year of 36%. The number of building starts last year was just over 1,700, a decrease of 29%. Northern Ireland, where Sinn Féin has some...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: -----is the British Government.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: Clearly.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: Ambitious action on sustainability is to the forefront of decision making in executive offices at a global, EU and national level, as highlighted in this Government's White Paper on Enterprise. In this regard, IDA sees the sustainability agenda as an opportunity for future investments and a competitive necessity for clients in the existing FDI base. IDA Ireland’s 2021-24 strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 11 staff within my Department who are working with the European Union in Brussels.  *In addition to these 11, there is 1 staff member - a seconded national expert - seconded to the European Commission, in Washington D.C. I can also confirm there are currently no vacant posts. The tables below set out the number of staff, their present roles, and responsibilities and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Meetings (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: The 2023 St Patrick's Day programme saw the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world.  These visits provided an opportunity for Ministers to promote Irish trade and meet business leaders, to engage with political counterparts and to meet the Irish diaspora in different...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, IDA Ireland is authorised by my Department to provide a range of financial supports to FDI companies in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants. The total amount of financial support provided to Citibank Europe plc over the past 20 years - that is for the years 2002 to 2022 inclusive...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: My Department is committed to providing efficient and well-managed services and achieves this by striking a satisfactory balance between the delivery of the business needs and high quality service to the public and the need to allow civil servants to address their health and safety needs during periods of illness.  The Department manages absences on health grounds in line with relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: My Department is committed to upholding the key aims of the Dignity at Work Policy, the Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service.  My Department is also committed to providing a work environment free from any form of bullying, harassment or sexual harassment. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates within the Civil Service policy framework for Human Resources, and in this regard it carries out its functions in accordance with the circulars and policies set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Any issues raised in the course of a process related to a disciplinary matter or misconduct is treated seriously, fairly and in strict...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Missions (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 496 together. Each year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland prepare a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of...