Results 46,221-46,240 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (22 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I currently have no plans to reform the apprenticeship system or to alter the present situation where apprentices are employed by sponsoring firms. The key strength of the system is that it is a demand-driven educational and training programme. It is designed to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies of apprentices and to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. FÁS has the...

Written Answers — Economic Statistics: Economic Statistics (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In compiling GDP, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has advised that a distinction is not made in the calculations between enterprises of various sizes. Consequently, it is not possible to provide the contribution of SMEs to GDP. However, the following data collated by the CSO from various CSO Surveys relating to 2005 — the latest year for which statistics are available — provide some...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Doha Development Agenda Round of talks in the World Trade Organization was launched in 2001. There is now reason to believe that it could reach a breakthrough within the next two to three months (although by no means certain), but the content of any final agreement is still far from clear. As a result, it is not possible to accurately anticipate the broad national consequences for...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: A State Export Credit Scheme was established under the 1953 Insurance Act, which provided export credit insurance to exporters, to cover against the risk of non-payment for their goods by buyers abroad and to encourage the export of Irish goods and services. The Scheme covered a wide range of risks up to 1991, when the Government decided to phase out State involvement in the provision of...

Written Answers — Departmental Lands: Departmental Lands (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 338 together. The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas and it is not a matter in which the Minister of the day has any involvement. However, IDA Ireland informs me that the Agency holds c. 2.27 hectares of...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: This question refers to two separate cards, the FÁS Construction Skills Certification Scheme Skills card and the FÁS Safe Pass card, neither of which is renewable on a three-year basis. The FÁS Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) skills card is renewable every five years. The CSCS card is used mainly by workers in the areas of plant operation, scaffolding and roofing. Once an...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that they have no record of a work permit being applied for in this case. However, if the above named is resident in the State on the basis of being a spouse of an employment permit holder then he may be eligible to seek employment and apply for a permit under the Spousal/Dependant Permit Scheme. This Scheme was introduced to give...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is current Government policy to issue new employment permits for highly skilled highly paid positions or for non-EEA nationals already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits. Applications in respect of specialized butchers, like all other applications, are considered on a case-by-case basis in line with current policy.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The FÁS/Enterprise Ireland National Registrar of Trainers (NRT) was established in 2004. The role of the NRT is to operate as an independent approval mechanism for the inclusion of trainers and training organisations on the National Register. I understand that the Registrar for the National Register of Trainers is not aware of any difficulties in accrediting trainers for the Construction...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I understand that FÁS has developed a series of training/assessment programmes to comply with Construction Skills Certificate Scheme legislative requirements. FÁS is working closely with the relevant industry and regulatory bodies to minimise possible delays which may occur in relation to three specific courses.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The information relating to work carried out for my Department during 2007, and for which my Department was the lead Department, is set out in the following tabular statement. In relation to consultancies engaged by the Agencies, this is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agencies concerned and one in which I have no function. Name of Consultants Individual or Firm Amount Earned...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government recognises the value of international work and travel programmes for students. They contribute to the development of lasting links with other countries and provide valuable experience for students themselves. The operation of Work In Ireland programmes is overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs. That Department, in cooperation with my Department and the Department of...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that this application was returned to the employer for completion on the 31/10/2007 and to-date they have no record of the completed application being returned to the Section.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Employment data in respect of companies supported by the Enterprise Agencies is collated by Forfás on a county-wide basis. The following table outlines the full-time jobs created in enterprise agency supported firms (Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland) in County Dublin in the years 2002 to 2007 inclusive. Full time permanent employment in enterprise agency supported firms in Co. Dublin...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the significance of the job losses for Tallaght and every effort is being made to create new employment opportunities in the area. The Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department are adopting a coordinated approach in dealing with the situation and in making the companies aware of the supports available to assist their workforces. At present, IDA...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have had enquiries made into the matter and am not aware that job losses are envisaged by the business referred to by the Deputy. I would be grateful therefore if the Deputy could provide me with any additional information available to him.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The increase in the live register figures in the year to March 2008 in County Waterford is consistent with the level of increase in the live register in the South-East region as a whole. The Department of Social and Family Affairs maintains the Live Register. The total number of people recorded on the live register for March, 2008 is 197,992. The Live Register is not designed to measure...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings, or from giving preference to one area over others. The recent job losses in Longford are regretted. However, some level of job losses is...

Written Answers — Science and Technology Groups: Science and Technology Groups (17 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Science Foundation Ireland/DELL Scholarship — Young Women in Engineering aims to attract and encourage more high-achieving young women into third-level education in engineering disciplines. The Scholarship is supported by DELL which supplies all the scholars with laptop computers. The scheme was introduced in academic year 2006 / 2007 so to date awards were made in 2006 / 2007 and 2007...