Results 1,721-1,740 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Damien English: I understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for businesses and their customers across the country and would like to thank them for their continued support of the national effort through this unprecedented public health crisis. Under Level 5, in line with public health guidelines,only essential retail outlets will remain open and the current temporary restrictions in Level 5 will...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (21 Apr 2021)

Damien English: The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, however, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. In May 2018, following a detailed business case...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Damien English: I understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for businesses and their customers across the country and would like to thank them for their continued support of the national effort through this unprecedented public health crisis. Under Level 5, in line with public health guidelines, only essential retail outlets will remain open and the current temporary restrictions in Level 5 will...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Supports (21 Apr 2021)

Damien English: Enterprise Ireland’s Ready for Customs grant provides companies with financial assistance to cover the costs of taking on much needed additional customs clearance staff. This grant is open to enterprises that are currently engaged in the movement of goods to, from, or through the UK and which will require new or increased customs clearance capacity. These include enterprises that are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wage Subsidy Scheme (25 Mar 2021)

Damien English: I thank Deputy O'Dea for raising this issue and for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Department, to outline the position. The Deputy's question relates specifically to Raheen in Limerick but is also concerned with the WSS in general so I will try to address both the national and local aspects of this. The WSS is an employment support to private sector employers, the aim of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wage Subsidy Scheme (25 Mar 2021)

Damien English: I understand why Deputy O'Dea has brought this to the floor of the House and I know it is not a political issue for him at all. Deputy O'Dea and other Deputies and Senators from the area have raised this matter directly with Ministers because they genuinely care. This employment opportunity has been very beneficial for those who avail of the scheme and the support. To be clear, the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Workplace Relations Commission (25 Mar 2021)

Damien English: The Ceann Comhairle will be glad to hear that I am in agreement with the Deputy on this issue. We have found some common ground and we both recognise the great and important work these inspectors, and the WRC in general, are doing. They are there to make sure employees are secure in their employment and that their conditions are being met satisfactorily. That is why we value the work of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Workplace Relations Commission (25 Mar 2021)

Damien English: I am glad to be able to confirm for the Deputy that the recruitment process for inspectors is under way. I am sure she is aware of that. That is why the extra funding was provided, in order that we could reach those numbers. Through the Public Appointments Service, a recruitment campaign is in train in conjunction with the WRC for an increase in the numbers of both EO and HEO inspectors....

Covid-19 (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (18 Feb 2021)

Damien English: There were in excess of 13,000 applications last year and we hope to build on that this year. The funding is allocated through our Department as the Department has responsibility for the policy. There is also another round of the online retail scheme that is operated by Enterprise Ireland. It is hoped that will be announced during February or early in March.

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Damien English: We will manage. The Leas-Chathaoirleach can give me a kick to remind me when we are nearer the time. I thank all the contributors to this debate and Senator Currie for bringing forward the motion to give us the opportunity to have this conversation.

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Damien English: Could we not push it to 7 p.m.? No, there is no problem with that. I am conscious of the rules in having to finish by 6.30 p.m. I compliment Senator Currie on bringing forward the motion. This is a conversation that we need to have as a country. It is one we have been having over the past 12 months, but it had started before that. We need to build on what has gone before. Senators...

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Damien English: We had concerns about it. It is not opposed. It was a letter in which concerns were raised, which is part of the conversations we have on the way to a directive. I sat here politely while the Senator misled the House earlier. I ask him not interrupt me when I am trying to make a point.

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Damien English: The House was misled earlier when the impression was given that the Government imposed a directive. We, along with many other countries – I understand 12 or 13 were included - wrote to the EU to raise some concerns regarding a directive relating to the process to get there. That is the way we have always done our business and the Tánaiste has been very clear on this. The...

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Damien English: Senator Gavan should not try to mislead the House. It does not help politics.

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Damien English: I have said repeatedly in these Houses that I have no issue with debating facts and having factual conversations. I do not like people who mislead, tell lies or exaggerate positions. It does not help any debate. I will park that now. In those situations in Europe, we are very much involved in progressive legislation and employment rights. The illusion that there is no collective...

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Damien English: -----in 2015. We are very committed to upgrading that. On the subject of this debate, remote working, everyone touched on its benefits, how important it is for family and community life and the opportunities it provides. Over the past year many people were sent home to work remotely in an unplanned way and this has had various consequences. Many difficulties have been worked out over the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (28 Jan 2021)

Damien English: I am not sure what the Deputy is trying to get at by taking a swipe at the Tánaiste, my party leader. We have tried at all times to introduce a balance as to how we deal with Covid. At all times it has favoured public health first while protecting people from the threat of the virus, saving as many lives as we possibly can and stopping the spread of the virus. It is also unfair to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (28 Jan 2021)

Damien English: The Deputy is right, however, and I will agree with her on this, that it is a matter of all of us following the best advice. That is how we will stop the spread of the virus. It is not a blame game but a matter of all of us adhering to the advice and the guidance as best we possibly can.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (28 Jan 2021)

Damien English: My thanks to Deputy Cronin for raising the issue. She has touched on several cases. I probably cannot comment on all of them because they are simply examples the Deputy is picking out. I am not familiar with the various stories but I will try to talk in general about the issue. Certainly, we can follow up on specific cases if the Deputy wishes. There are protocols in place and methods...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Company Law (17 Dec 2020)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. We had a good committee discussion on this recently and the Deputy might have had a chance to review the transcript of that. The Government has committed in the programme for Government to review whether the current legal provisions surrounding collective redundancies and the liquidation of companies effectively protect the rights of workers. It...