Results 19,541-19,560 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Interest rates under the Microfinance Ireland Covid-19 loan schemes have been reduced to between 4.5% and 5.5%. The first six months are interest and repayment-free, which means there is an effective annual interest rate of just over 3%. Under the SBCI Covid-19 working capital scheme, loans are offered at a maximum rate of 4% and this represents a significant saving compared to other...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: It has not made a request, as far as I am aware, but I speak to the head of the Health and Safety Authority and-----

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: No, but it is important that I explain that there will be resources available from other agencies. For example, the HSE may have environmental health officers who can transfer over, and there are a number of other agencies that would be able to give it staff.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Not yet.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: We have supports of up to €12 billion.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. We currently have a suite of supports. Some of them are loans and some of them are grants. We have the business continuity grant. One gets that from the local enterprise office so that gives one access to somebody who will give advice and help to put together a financial plan for one's company. We then have the grants for getting online. In...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy can submit a written question.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising these issues. To answer his last question first, through many years Ireland has built up a very robust life sciences and biopharmaceutical industry, the quality and depth of which is recognised across the world. Our track record on skills availability, manufacturing quality, consistent pro-enterprise policies, high regulatory standards and access to the...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I sympathise with the workers in Debenhams. This is not an easy time for them. We will do everything we can to make sure that all the supports of the State are available to them. It may be at least some comfort that they are getting the full €350 unemployment payment but that is only temporary. Regarding the interventions-----

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: -----the procedures for liquidations are set out in Part 11 of the Companies Act 2014. As Minister, I have no statutory power to interfere.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Unfortunately, I cannot do that because I do not have the statutory power. I want to go back to the role of the HSA regarding complaints and procedure. The HSA has power, teeth and resources and it will have more resources if they are needed. Some of the complaints came in before lockdown was introduced. Some of the complaints about which the Deputy is talking-----

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: -----came into the HSA before the lockdown was put in place. When the HSA contacted the employers to follow up, the places of work were closed. One cannot inspect a place of work that is closed.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Some of the complaints are coming in from people outside the workplace. People who do not even work there are putting in complaints. The Deputy should keep that in mind.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: Some of the complaints coming in are also about closed businesses and the prospect of places opening up. These cannot be inspected because they are closed. I just wished to point that out to the Deputy.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Health and Safety Authority is an independent agency under my Department. This is at an early stage. I reassure the Deputy that when we get the request, if the HSA needs extra resources, it can have them. It also has access to HSE staff and the Workplace Relations Commission who can be transferred over. Health and safety officers from other Departments can go and work with the Health...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: That is not the job of the Health and Safety Authority.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: There will be enough people to take the calls. Not every call requires an inspection but that is a matter for the HSA. The HSA will deal with every complaint it receives. It will decide whether an inspection is necessary; it will not be up to the Deputy or to me. The HSA is very good at this and has a good track record. I have made it clear and cannot make it any clearer that if it needs...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: ICTU is in it too.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising those issues. The protocol we launched on Saturday is a very good one. It provides a lot of information on how businesses can prepare to get back to work. They need to look at the things they have to do. For example, each workplace will appoint one lead worker representative. These representatives will be able to work with employers to ensure Covid-19...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (14 May 2020)

Heather Humphreys: There were a good few questions there.