Results 46,921-46,940 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 provides consumers with certain contractual rights when purchasing goods and services. These rights essentially relate to the merchantable quality of goods offered for sale and the requirements of diligence in relation to the manner in which services are supplied. The Act does not convey any specific statutory right enabling a consumer to...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: For the year 2007, the total budget for IDA Ireland, covering the Agency's capital and current spend, was €296.761m. made up of €140.743m. from the Exchequer and €156.018m. own resource income. Of this figure an amount of €116.669m. has been spent up to 31st October 2007. It should be noted, however, that grant payments to industry, which comprise the major portion of IDA's capital...

Written Answers — Employment Statistics: Employment Statistics (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The following tables set out, on a regional and county basis, the number of permanent jobs, in Enterprise Agency (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Shannon Development, Údarás na Gaeltachta) assisted Manufacturing and International Services firms in 2005 and 2006. Employment data in respect of companies supported by the Enterprise Agencies is collated by Forfás on an annual basis and...

Written Answers — Conflicts of Interest: Conflicts of Interest (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: No declarations of a conflict of interest have been made by advisers in my Department since my appointment in September 2004. My Department would not be aware of any such declarations made personally to my predecessor, the then Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms. Mary Harney).

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The consultancies engaged by my Department from 1st January –31st October, 2007 are 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. 2007 Name of Consultants Purpose of Consultancy Total Cost to date Projects Completed Yes/No Indecon...

Written Answers — Complaints Procedures: Complaints Procedures (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has a formal complaints procedure in place since 2003 to deal with any complaints from members of the public about the manner in which the Department delivers on its Customer Charter. The Department ensures that any complaint received from a member of the public is properly investigated and responded to and also ensures that, where possible, the causes giving rise to any...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The amount spent by my Department on advertising and promotional campaigns in each year since 2002 is as follows- €493,296 in 2002, €528,952 in 2003, €574,142 in 2004, €661,061 in 2005, €713,695 in 2006 and €596,664 to date in 2007. The amount spent by my Department on television, radio, print media and internet media since 2002 to date in tabular form is as follows: Year T.V...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: A review of efficiency savings is carried out by my Department each year in accordance with the terms of the Administrative Budget Agreement between my Department and the Department of Finance. The Agreement requires my Department to achieve efficiency savings equivalent to 2% of the total basic running cost of the Department each year. These efficiencies may be achieved, for example, by...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that there is no record of a valid application having been received in respect of this person. Applications made under the Spousal/Dependent Scheme receive preferential treatment over normal employment permit applications. Applications are fee exempt, the ineligible job categories list does not apply and there is no advertising...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I understand that Enterprise Ireland will contribute to the funding necessary for the appointment of a coordinator in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork to implement the town's socioeconomic plan and is available to assist in the recruitment of a person with a view to appointing the successful candidate as soon as possible to carry out this vital work.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards provide a source of support to small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. Subject to...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 to 314, inclusive, together. Ireland's participation in this competition, involving 49 countries with 824 participants in 47 skills areas, benchmarks our strong craft/technical vocational education training against the technological advances in training in other countries. The WorldSkills competition was established with the aim of achieving world-class...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Officials in my Department are currently compiling the information sought by the Deputy. However, given the number of EU Operational Programmes and Community Initiatives in which my Department has been involved over the last ten years, it has not proved possible to collate all the information within the timescale requested. Nonetheless, my Officials are well advanced in bringing the data...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: In relation to its Community Employment programme, FÁS provides funding to local community groups to provide employment for projects including the repair and maintenance of tourist attractions. For those tourist sites where FÁS has provided such funding then FÁS, with the authority concerned for the day to day running of the site, would have a joint responsibility for health and safety matters.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Despite past difficulties in County Donegal, due to the demise of traditional industries such as agriculture, fishing and textiles, there is clear evidence that the county is successfully engaged in a transition to the new economy. Live register figures at 8,340 and 8,370 for September 2006 and 2007 respectively, are lower then any year going back to 1993. The Interdepartmental Group Report...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that once the marriage of a non-EEA national to an EU national has been validated with the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, the spouse of an EU national may enter the work force under the same conditions as any other EU national. However while the marriage is being validated the non EEA national requires an employment...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, which includes 2,300 State Agency posts, FÁS is due to transfer its head office, including some 383 staff, to Birr, Co Offaly. FÁS currently has 20 staff members based in Birr who are working out of offices located within the Birr Technology Centre. It is anticipated that 40 staff will be located there by the end of the year. In addition...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Section 198(1) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 provides that the publisher of any book first published in the State must provide a copy of the book to a number of copyright libraries, including the Board of the British Library. Section 198(5) of the Act provides that a publisher shall also provide a copy of any book first published in the State to the National Library of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I have no direct function in relation to the International Standard Book Number, ISBN, which is a unique commercial book identifier barcode system.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (20 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Appeals Tribunal is an independent body under the aegis of my Department. I understand that the average waiting period from the time a case is notified to the Tribunal until it is heard in each county is:— County Weeks Cavan 53 Carlow 46 Clare 19 Cork 30 Donegal 57 Dublin 20 Galway 57 Kerry 55 Kildare 51 Kilkenny 60 Laois 52 Leitrim 61 Limerick 69 Longford 30...