Results 301-320 of 4,377 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Small and Medium Enterprises (18 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am very grateful to the Deputy for raising what is an extremely topical issue. It gives me an opportunity to provide an update and some clarity on what has been done and is being done, and, more importantly, what will be done. Fundamentally, we recognise that small businesses are facing a number of acute challenges, particularly those businesses in the hospitality sector and others to...

Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (18 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann resolves that the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 [Seanad]be deemed to be read a second time this day twelve months, so as to allow sufficient time for the development of Government legislative proposals before the end of 2024, in line...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (18 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The purpose of the Emergency Humanitarian Flood Relief Scheme administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is to provide urgent funding to small businesses (up to 20 employees), community and voluntary organisations affected by flooding who were unable, through no fault of their own, to secure flood insurance.The Scheme provides a contribution towards the costs of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (18 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: This Government and my Department are fully committed in advancing the interests of SMEs in Ireland. The White Paper on Enterprise sets out an ambitious vision for Ireland’s enterprise policy, to protect Ireland’s strong economic position, and respond to challenges and opportunities that have emerged because of the pandemic, wider economic and geo-political developments,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (18 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that the application concerned in the details supplied was refused on 4th January 2024. An appeal against the refusal reasons in relation to this application has been received. The reviewing officer will be considering the appeal shortly and a decision will be forwarded to the applicant in due course.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: Beyond the Minister, Deputy Ryan, Deputy Matthews is the expert. As a rail engineer he spent 20 years working on the railways. I am sure there is a good reason there is a gap between arrival and deployment. There is a time delay and I will make sure the Minister, Deputy Ryan, tracks-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am sure there is a version of spinning it around the showroom but I will make sure the Minister, Deputy Ryan, provides clarity there. Deputy Matthews spent ages on this tonight and he would have known for sure. I will not repeat and reiterate things that Deputy Ó Cuív knows better than I because he has been there and has seen what the Department of Transport has been doing in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: As the Deputy can understand, I cannot give specifics on the hoof on those schools in question but I will speak to the Minister in question and make sure that is communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible by the Department's team. The following alludes in some ways to the situation in Laois in particular. Laois is a county the Deputy will know better than me. Indeed, it is the Ceann...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív sincerely for raising this important topic which, he will understand, I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I clarify, as the Deputy will be well aware, that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in public transport, but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I genuinely and sincerely thank Deputy Stanley for raising this issue and laying out very considerably what is an extremely delicate matter - I think we both accept that - not just for the students in question but particularly their families, teachers and the wider school community. At the outset, with the Deputy's indulgence, I would like to lay out a little bit of the detail with regard...

Investment Funds Trading in the Residential Property Market: Motion [Private Members] (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all the words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "welcomes: — the introduction of measures in 2021 to disincentivise the bulk purchasing of new homes by investment funds, including a higher 10 per cent stamp rate for certain bulk purchases of residential properties and planning guidelines to restrict the bulk purchase...

Ráiteas mar Eolas do Vótálaithe i ndáil leis an mBille um an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023: Tairiscint - Statement for Information of Voters in relation to the Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023: Motion (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: Tairgim: GO ndéanfar an ráiteas atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Rún seo a fhorordú mar eolas do vótálaithe, de bhun alt 23 d'Acht an Reifrinn, 1994 (Uimh. 12 de 1994), i ndáil leis an togra chun an Bunreacht a leasú, atá ar áireamh sa Bhille um an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023, agus is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Deputy for a very timely remark. The increased cost of business scheme will be paid out to all businesses that paid commercial rates last year of up to €30,000, with a maximum pay-out of €5,000. It will all be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2024. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is working with the Department of housing and local...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank Deputy Lowry. I confirm that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, has just left the House to attend a meeting with representatives of the hospitality sector to discuss what we accept are increasing costs. Many of these are down to market issues, be they energy or interest rates. We accept that correct Government decisions to increase the minimum wage...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: My Department is committed to sustainable economic development through the creation and maintenance of high-quality employment across all regions of our country. We champion enterprise and ensure a competitive business base to incentivise work, enterprise, innovation and investment. The Local Enterprise Offices can help seasonal businesses to identify and market their unique selling...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Wage-setting Mechanisms (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Development (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417 and 418 together. The company in question is at an early stage of development and is being supported by Enterprise Ireland to explore business opportunities both in China and across the wider nutritional powders market. I understand that there has been no change in the number of full-time workers employed on site. There is an expectation that...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: It is positive to see Enterprise Ireland (EI) supported companies recording jobs growth for the third year in a row and that employment in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland is now at its highest ever level at over 225,000 people. The latest job figures show employment increased across all economic sectors for Enterprise Ireland supported companies. In total, 15,530 new jobs were...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 453 together. This Government is committed to backing business and will continue to work closely with small businesses to support their growth, help them to find new markets, create jobs and take on the twin challenges of decarbonisation and digitalisation. The Local Enterprise Offices have a key role to play here. The results of this year’s...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Legislative Process (17 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The drafting of amendments to the Employment Permits Bill 2022 is ongoing. It is now at an advanced stage with work to finalise provisions covering key aspects such as the Seasonal Employment Permit, and the Transfer of Employer being prioritised by my Department. It is my preference for the Employment Permits Bill to be brought into the Dáil as soon as possible within the first...