Results 1,361-1,380 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Trade Promotion (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: The Deputy has raised an important point in that this is something we are trying to get the balance right on. We believe that the success and the future growth of the retail sector is to develop a sustainable online retail business as well as to continue with the high street presence. As a Government, under the programme for Government, our intention is to support both elements of that....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: Again, I thank the Deputy for raising the question. He had not flagged any particular area in his question but I am happy to take on board his advice, guidance and suggestions. They will be passed on. When any advice is updated on movement restrictions, the work safety protocol in place at the time is the one to be followed. The new version that will be published in the next couple of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: On the matter of people going back to work in schools, they have been at work in schools since last autumn and have been teaching consistently throughout the period. They went back to school under the various protocols. The return to work safety protocol is the standard across all sectors. Naturally, each area — schools are a prime example — go further than that. Schools do...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: To be very clear, we have had great engagement with all employers on the wage levels set in this country. The majority of employers go well above what is required. We have protections in place in regard to employee pay and conditions, and we have rules and regulations that have to be enforced. I cannot comment on any-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for the question. On 31 August 2021, the Government published Reframing the Challenge: Continuing our Recovery and Reconnecting, containing updated guidance to take effect from 20 September 2021, as part of a gradual and careful reopening process in advance of the further planned relaxation of restrictions on 22 October. A sub-group of the Labour Employer Economic Forum,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: Regional enterprise development and sustainable local job creation is a key policy priority of mine and this Government. My Department is currently overseeing the development of nine new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024. These are ‘bottom-up’ plans, developed by regional stakeholders which will identify growth opportunities, recognise vulnerabilities, and enable job creation...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: Universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19. International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Workplace Relations Commission (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 87 together. In 2015, the Industrial Relations Acts were amended to allow for a retired person to have access to the IR bodies in a period of 6-months post-retirement for matters arising pre-retirement. This 6-month provision allows for the settling of any practical issues affecting a former worker. Any proposals that arise from voluntary conciliation...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Digital Hubs (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: Regional enterprise development and sustainable local job creation is a key policy priority for this Government as set out in the Programme for  Government: Our Shared Future. The Local Authorities are important partners in achieving that policy objective. To ensure we are delivering on the potential of each region, my Department is currently overseeing the development of nine new...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Dublin Bus (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 124 together. At the outset, I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is, essentially, voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers, rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives. For its part, the State provides the industrial relations...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74, 86, 95, 108, 115 and 116 together. Universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19. International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: The Covid-19 outbreak resulted in a serious downturn in the Irish, EU and wider global economy. In response to this, Government introduced measures to assist impacted business. With the assistance of these measures, in 2020, a large number of Covid-19 impacted companies were sustained. Now, as we cautiously emerge from these necessary public health restrictions and global markets begin to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: As the Deputy is aware, the Government have provided a significant package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic. Under the new Economic Recovery Plan, a stimulus to fuel the economy of €4 billion was announced, this is intended to aid businesses and the economy to recover and rebuild. The Plan outlined changes to several of the current financial...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: The State operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is intended to act as a conduit for key skills which are required to develop enterprise in the State for the benefit of our economy, while simultaneously protecting the balance of the labour market. The...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Social Enterprise Sector (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: The responsibility for the development of policy and the promotion of social enterprises lies with my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, T.D. and is set out in the Department of Rural and Community Development’s National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland (2019-2022). This strategy is focused on three key objectives, to build awareness of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: The Covid-19 outbreak resulted in a serious downturn in the Irish, EU and wider global economy. In response to this, Government introduced measures to assist impacted business. With the assistance of these measures, in 2020, a large number of Covid-19 impacted companies were sustained. Now, as we cautiously emerge from these necessary public health restrictions and global markets begin to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: The Government recognises the sacrifices business owners, employees and their families have made over the past 18 months in order to protect their community from COVID-19.As you are aware, the Government put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic. The Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid-19 (SBASC), which is administered by the 31 local...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: My Department recognises the importance of developing the e-commerce capability and digitalisation of our indigenous enterprises and this need was brought into sharp focus during the restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agencies under the remit of my Department have developed digitalisation programmes to assist businesses to not only commence trading online but also...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: As the Deputy is aware, the Government have provided a significant package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic. Under the new Economic Recovery Plan, a stimulus to fuel the economy of €4 billion was announced, this is intended to aid businesses and the economy to recover and rebuild. The Plan outlined changes to several of the current financial supports, the EWSS is...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Health and Safety (15 Sep 2021)

Damien English: In the 2021 budget the Health and Safety Authority was given an additional pay allocation of €4.2m, primarily to increase the staff available to it, enabling the Authority to deliver further on its mandate including the establishment of an occupational health division but also to cover additional resources for Brexit and COVID-19. The Health and Safety Authority has a full staff...