Results 101-120 of 1,095 for speaker:Jimmy Devins

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Yes, I am dealing with Deputy Penrose's Question No. 67.

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The significant allocations in the Department's Estimates for 2009 will ensure that it continues to build on this strategy for the future. Enterprise Ireland is responsible for supporting the development of Irish companies with ambitions to grow in world markets. Many of its client companies are small to medium in size. Enterprise Ireland recognises the varied challenges facing such...

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme. (4 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The Minister has given the information on this.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (4 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation constitutes one of the principal pillars of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, and is underpinned by a projected total investment of €8.2 billion. It is an integrated whole of Government approach to the realisation of an agreed vision that, by 2013, Ireland will be internationally renowned for the excellence of its research and at...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (4 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 to 52, inclusive, together. The table sets out details of expenditure by SFI programme at the 31st October 2008. Arising from the recent Budget process SFI has been allocated €179.3 million for 2009 in respect of capital expenditure for research grants to third level institutions and related activity. This represents an increase of 4% on the Revised...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Who said such an address would be given?

Redundant Apprentices. (2 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The House will be well aware that the construction sector has continued to experience a reduction in the level of activity in 2008 compared to previous years. In the recent past, there has been a consequential reduction in the level of employment in the sector. The level of recruitment of apprentices by employers is also at a lower level — some 44% lower than in 2007 — and there has been...

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (2 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate and acknowledge the cross-party support given to the Bill. All Deputies would agree that the Ombudsman has made an important contribution over the past 25 years in terms of promoting high standards of public administration. This Bill will enhance that contribution. It comprises a progressive series of measures which complement the...

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee (2 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Seanad: Stem-Cell Research (Protection of Human Embryos) Bill 2008: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I welcome the opportunity to respond, on behalf of the Government, to this Private Members' Bill sponsored by Senator Mullen. Stem cell research represents one of the most important and challenging areas of investigation that scientists and clinicians will undertake in the 21st century. Much of the work with stem cells raises no ethical issues or concerns. For example, bone marrow...

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 14 and 15 together. The rise in unemployment, while regrettable, must be seen in the light of the unprecedented growth in the economy and in employment in the past number of years. Overall employment growth was driven by significant growth in employment in the construction sector. Such levels of growth could not last indefinitely. The resultant rise in...

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I remind Deputy Varadkar that some weeks ago he said Ireland was the only country in recession.

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Many European countries, including some that are much bigger and stronger than we have ever been, are officially in recession. The Deputy is very selective in what he says.

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Ministers and Deputies on this side of the House are very aware of the situation because we meet it every day in our clinics. We are attacking the problem with all our strength. It is a two-pronged attack. We are engaging with the people who have been made redundant and are upskilling and retraining them. We are also looking at foreign direct investment and development of our indigenous...

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Several points have been raised with which I will try to deal in the limited time available. Deputy Penrose made a good suggestion that Enterprise Ireland and the county and city enterprise boards should not be arbitrarily confined to ten jobs. This is a matter on which the Department is working actively.

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: While the point is being made to all Members on the ground, this issue is being worked on actively. The Leader programmes constitute a source of a huge amount of money. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, recently announced a substantial increase in the funding for the Leader programmes over the next number of years. As for the schools building...

Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: She just answered.

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Inferences were made.

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The World Economic Forum, WEF, Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009, ranks Ireland 22nd overall, the same score recorded for 2007-08 and 2006-07. Ireland was ranked 30th in 2003 and 2004. Achieving 22nd place out of 134 global economies is not a negative scoring for a small economy such as Ireland. The World Economic Forum ranks countries according to 110 indicators. Within this set of...

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I remind the Deputy that is one survey but there are many others some of which have ranked Ireland at a much higher position, including the IMD. There is an argument to the effect that the World Economic Forum survey is very much based on perceptions, whereas the IMD survey is based more on factual information. There are other surveys, such as that of Forbes magazine, which ranks our...