Results 15,381-15,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I do not control any media. Any reasonable person who looked at the headlines about the Copenhagen Economics report would be forgiven for thinking that the report projected that Ireland would go into recession, that people's pay would be cut and jobs lost.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I am sorry Ceann Comhairle, it is getting a bit silly because they all know what I am saying.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I am happy to continue but the Ceann Comhairle is correct that the constant interruptions do make it difficult to answer.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: Okay.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The international, EU and Northern Ireland division of my Department covers work on all international, EU and British-Irish and Northern Ireland affairs within the Department, including issues relating to Brexit. This division is headed by a Second Secretary General, who also acts as the Irish sherpa for EU business, including...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: Yesterday, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, announced funding of €815,000 for 12 new social enterprises under strand 3 of the community services programme, or CSP. The CSP supports local community-based organisations and activities to deliver a diverse range of services in communities while providing employment opportunities for people from...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: There has been a significant increase in the social inclusion element of the HSE's budget which covers the task forces and there are also additional funds which are routed directly through the Department of Health. It is very much within the domain of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, to determine how that money is best spent and whether it is through local drugs task forces or...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: The legislation is very much a priority. I met the Minister for Finance last night and we discussed it. The Department of Finance is working on drafting that as we speak. I should point out that through ISIF and other financial vehicles, the Government already provides finance to developers and builders who are looking to build new homes. However, the additional body will allow us to do...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I cannot. That might be an issue the Deputy could raise directly with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport-----
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: -----either by way of a parliamentary question or Topical Issue. I can assure the Deputy that there are no plans to close the railway south of Gorey.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: In terms of being upgraded, it is important to bear in mind how the Connecting Europe Facility works. I meet people about the TEN-T and the Connecting Europe Facility and they seem to think it is a big source of European money. It is actually not. If something is included on the TEN-T network, it imposes an obligation on Government to upgrade it and the Union will only provide a very small...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I do not know. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, to provide Deputy Collins with a reply.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: There is no legislation promised on this matter, a Cheann Comhairle. I am aware that we have succeeded in recruiting 5,000 additional teachers since this Government of Fine Gael, Independents and the Independent Alliance came to office, which is a considerable number. I acknowledge there are difficulties in recruiting teachers in certain subjects and substitute teachers in certain instances...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: The Deputy might like to raise it with the Minister for Education and Skills.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I share the Deputy's concern about child poverty. Nobody believes that any child deserves to grow up in poverty or disadvantage. While the Deputy has not acknowledged it, I know that if he had more time he would acknowledge that child poverty and poverty rates have been falling in Ireland for the past two years as a consequence of decisions made by Government.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: I believe they will continue to fall.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: That is according to the Central Statistics Office, which collects these data. In terms of our commitment to deal with the issue, the most effective way to lift people out of poverty is through employment. The Deputy will be aware of the work the Government is doing to boost employment in this country and through measures such as investment in education and housing. The Deputy will be...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: -----very significant investment in housing as well. There will be €4.2 billion to build 112,000 new social homes in that period. I can assure the Deputy, therefore, that we are going in the right direction and with this Government remaining in office, we will continue to go in the right direction.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: It is also how we ensure that banks will be able to lend to people at affordable interest rates.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)
Leo Varadkar: It is Questions on Promised Legislation.