Results 19,621-19,640 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The HSA is working with the HSE on this. It is detailed and complex work. I hope to have that work completed and published shortly. It will set out clearly what is expected of both employers and employees. We have other protocols in place now and these guidelines set out a range of measures. I hope to have the next set of guidelines shortly for publication. We are working with unions...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: As I stated, the HSA and the HSE are working together with different employers and unions to bring about a document that everybody can work with. That should be ready shortly.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: With respect to companies not complying with regulations, environmental health officers already have the power to close companies not complying with rules. That power exists.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for the questions and will start with the last question first. Regarding commercial rents and landlords, I outlined where many of them are giving that latitude and are working with their tenants, and rightly so. There always will be, however, a cohort that does not do that. I spoke to the Minister for Justice and Equality about this issue and I requested the...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I will do that. The HSA is available today and anybody with concerns about a workplace should contact it. The NSAI guidelines the Deputy referred to are also available. The HSA and the HSE are working together-----

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising those issues. I welcome the publication of the NESC report on vulnerable employment. My Department is already engaged in a number of activities outlined in the report as key drivers of the response to the just transition. The Department has been engaged in the process and we are committed to it. The regional enterprise plans are all focused on climate...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Minister of State. I will take the last question first. All of the preparation that we did for Brexit has been extremely useful in how we are responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many structures were in place and we had many different supports. We have been able to expand and improve on them. We certainly have not forgotten about Brexit. Although, I will be honest: all our...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. The Taoiseach announced earlier that a comprehensive plan is being developed for how restrictions will be eased and what that will look like. Unfortunately, it will not be like flicking on a switch that means everything can go back to normal. However, we will have the roadmap and supports in place. We are engaging with businesses on protocols....

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for his question. There are lots of things that businesses can do now, while they remain closed, to prepare to go back to work. Any businesses on the wage subsidy scheme can bring in their staff and start to talk to them and look at how they can plan to go back to work. The NSAI guidelines on retail protection and improvement are available online. I recommend that...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I am sorry.

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputies for raising these various matters. Many issues have been raised so I will try to get through them as quickly as I can. Regarding worker protection, the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, plays a key role alongside the HSE. We are preparing a document, which we will publish shortly. It will include specific guidance around how to implement physical distancing in the...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to address the Chamber and update Deputies on the work under way in my Department to help the enterprise sector meet the business challenges presented by Covid-19. Clearly, Covid-19 has resulted in a profound impact across the economy with unprecedented speed. Figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection indicate that it had issued...

Standing Orders 21 and 22: Motion (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I move: That, with effect from 5th May, 2020, where Standing Orders 21 and 22 require a quorum of 20, that quorum shall at all times be reduced to ten, until further notice in the 33rd Dáil.

Membership of Committee on Procedure: Motion (30 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I move: That— (a) notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, and until further notice in the 33rd Dáil, the membership of the Committee on Procedure shall consist of the Ceann Comhairle as ex officio chair and not more than 16 other members, appointed by parties and groups as follows: (i) Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Sinn Féin ‒ three members each; and...

Social Protection (Covid-19): Statements (2 Apr 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all the Deputies who contributed. I acknowledge again the co-operation and support of all sides of the House during this time of national crisis. Deputies have asked specific questions on various schemes. Due to time constraints, I cannot address them individually. Ms Orlaith Mannion has agreed that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will provide Members...

An Bille um Bearta Éigeandála ar mhaithe le Leas an Phobail (Covid-19), 2020: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Mar 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I thank all the Deputies who have contributed to the debate today. I ask for their indulgence because many issues have been raised. I will try to respond to as many as I can but for those that I do not address there will be an opportunity for the relevant Ministers to discuss them on Committee Stage. I share the concerns expressed about increased reliance on moneylending during the crisis...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (5 Mar 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Government acknowledges the result of the Motion that was passed in the Dáil on 11th July 2019 and we have committed to conducting a comprehensive, independent Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the finalised EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.  In that regard, in January 2020, the Government commissioned ‘Implement...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices (5 Mar 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Enterprise Offices are the ‘First Stop Shop’ for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. Located in the 31 Local Authorities Offices nationwide, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices (5 Mar 2020)

Heather Humphreys: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone intending to start or grow a business. My Department, through the LEOs, has continued to develop a range of supports to help local businesses in preparation for the challenges of Brexit In that regard, both the Louth and Meath...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland (5 Mar 2020)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together. IDA Ireland’s park in Drogheda is currently home to one financial services company and has approximately 3.6 hectares of additional marketable lands available for investment. The IDA also owns additional sites across County Louth with almost 3 hectares of marketable land in the IDA Business and Technology Park at Finnabair,...