Results 1-20 of 4,363 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil (9 Apr 2024)

Neale Richmond: Read the Constitution.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (9 Apr 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Employment Permits Section of the Department has informed me that there are approximately 66,500 active employment permits in the state. This is an approximate figure, based on a data set extracted on the 26 March. The precise figure will fluctuate daily. The requested breakdown (permit type, soc code) is set out in the attached documents.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (9 Apr 2024)

Neale Richmond: Local Enterprise Offices provide a range of complementary supports to support people who want to start up or grow a business. The 31 LEOs across the country act as the "first stop shop" for businesses and entrepreneurs in Ireland and operate in each Local Authority area. Businesses operating in the domestic market (regardless of numbers employed) such as sole traders, micro businesses...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (9 Apr 2024)

Neale Richmond: My Department received a collective redundancy notification from the company concerned on 2 April 2024. The rules governing collective redundancies are set out in the Protection of Employment Act 1977, as amended. Collective redundancies arise where, during any period of 30 consecutive days, the employees being made redundant are: 5 employees where 21-49 are employed, 10 employees where...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Priorities (9 Apr 2024)

Neale Richmond: Balanced regional enterprise development is a key policy of mine and is reaffirmed in the Government’s White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans. The Regional Enterprise Plans are driven by regional stakeholders and focus on undertaking...

Seanad: An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024: An Dara Céim - Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024: Second Stage (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I welcome the opportunity to introduce the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024 to the House. In line with Article 46 of the Constitution, the Bill sets out a proposal for an amendment to the Constitution and, if passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, a proposal will be submitted by referendum to the decision of the people. This...

Seanad: An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024: An Dara Céim - Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024: Second Stage (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank all of the Senators for their contributions to what is a lively and important debate. I accept the more general political comment that this is a very technical piece of work. It is going to be difficult to engage with people. I do not hide from that for an instant but it will require frank and open engagement, and clear and honest facts. I have been involved in quite a number of...

Seanad: An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024: An Dara Céim - Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024: Second Stage (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024: An Dara Céim - Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024: Second Stage (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Next Tuesday.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation in place to protect and support workers. Statutory and contractual employment terms apply in relation to the payment of wages. Failure to pay all or part of the wages due to an employee is considered an unlawful deduction and a complaint can be made under the Payment of Wages Act, 1991. The Payment of Wages Act 1991...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: While immigration and visa policy falls under the remit of the Department of Justice, my Department has responsibility for economic migration policy and the employment permits regime. Non-EEA nationals seeking permission to arrive in the State must interact with the Department of Justice for entry and residence permission, and, depending on their nationality, visa requirements. The 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Achieving balanced regional enterprise development, as reflected in the White Paper on Enterprise, remains a priority for this Government. I am very aware of the contribution made by enterprise hubs and remote working spaces across the country; these facilities provide services to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and they also allow people to live and work in their local...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Schemes (21 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Since the last update provided on 28 November 2023, work has progressed significantly on drafting the General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act 1984. The primary purpose of that Bill will be to allow employees of companies that cease trading without engaging in any formal wind-up process to access the Insolvency Payments Scheme. The drafting...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the three Deputies for their contributions. I would like to particularly thank Deputy Quinlivan for his chairing of the Oireachtas joint committee and its proactive work in the pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. As ever, it is really appreciated in relation to parliamentary work. Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle can clarify - is "rascal" an allowed word in this Chamber? I am not...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I do not think Deputy Ó Murchú will take umbrage if I describe him as being a bit of a rascal in some of his line of questioning but he raised serious points concerning businesses, if perhaps a little bit more philosophical when it comes to the politics of today.

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: On supports, two areas are receiving immediate response because of the report by the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment, referenced by Deputy Quinlivan. It is extremely important to show how tough it is for many businesses in general but also because of many of the legislative and policy changes introduced in this House, supported by all parties present, particularly in sectors...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Referral to Select Committee (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024 here today. Essentially, the Bill will provide a statutory basis for the transfer of Microfinance Ireland into State ownership, under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Before commenting on the specifics of the Bill, I wish to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Enterprise Support Services (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I sincerely thank Senator McGreehan for bringing forward this very important issue. At the outset, I will take the liberty to address my response not just to Senator McGreehan, but to the school kids who are in the Visitors Gallery because this is really important. We are dealing with a very important issue for every one of them and they are very welcome to the people's House and the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Enterprise Support Services (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: My office is always open to the Senator. I mean that sincerely. Last year, we increased national funding for local enterprise offices by €9 million. We gave them additional funding so they can not only maintain current programmes but can do more programmes. However, if the team in County Louth feel they do not have sufficient resources, the Department will of course be more than...