Results 47,121-47,140 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (23 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The effective implementation of the National Skills Strategy requires an integrated approach jointly led by my own Department, by the Department of Education & Science and that successfully involves all of the key agencies in the education and training sectors. Since the publication of the Strategy progress has been made in several areas. I asked the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: While the issue of broadband is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I am informed that broadband take-up continues to grow strongly in Ireland. At the end of June 2007 there were 698,000 broadband subscriptions, which represents an annual increase of 87%. At the end of March this year the European Competitive Telecommunications...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (23 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions, while Enterprise Ireland is responsible for indigenous industry in the Mid- west region. Shannon Development's remit includes the provision of property solutions to accommodate the FDI and indigenous sectors in the Mid West region. While I may give general...

Pre-Budget Outlook: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this discussion on the pre-budget Estimates for 2008, published last week by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance. They mark a significant development in reform of the Estimates and budgetary process. The Government's objective is to create a more unified and transparent approach to the budgetary framework and to provide greater transparency in...

Pre-Budget Outlook: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I sought those data.

Pre-Budget Outlook: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: That is disingenuous. Deputy Burton knows the pre-budget Estimates were not designed to deal with a detailed scheme under the aegis of one Department. We should not use this process as an opportunity for propaganda. What is of primary concern within this framework is the outcome, which is about looking after those most vulnerable and disadvantaged. This is the focus we wish to develop. I...

Pre-Budget Outlook: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I expect the authority to be fully staffed by the end of 2007 and there is an ambitious business plan in place for 2008 focusing on the promotion and enforcement of employment rights. The Labour Court, the Labour Relations Commission and the Employment Appeals Tribunal, which are all funded through my Department's Estimate, provide further supports where necessary to workers — and indeed to...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (18 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that an application was received in respect of the above. The application in this instance was refused as it did not fall within the ambit of Section 4 of the Employment Permits Act 2006. A right of appeal within 21 days applies to decisions under this Act. Outside of this appeal period, a new application will be considered on its...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (18 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment and Human Resources Operation Programme was the second largest of the national Operational Programmes under the National Development Plan 2000 to 2006. Nationally overall expenditure under the Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2000-2006, to the end of 2006, was over €14.9 billion or 105% of forecast, with the ESF element presently standing at...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (18 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that no application has been received for this person.

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (17 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Following a review of the poverty proofing process, the Office for Social Inclusion produced a revised set of guidelines for what is now termed Poverty Impact Assessment. The Office of Social Inclusion presented the new guidelines to officials of my Department and my Department and its agencies, including FÁS in particular, is following the guidelines in relation to the evaluation of the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is due to relocate to Arklow, Co. Wicklow. The current NSAI implementation plan anticipates a target date of April 2009 as the completion date for its decentralisation programme; however, this is highly dependent on the resolution of matters at central level concerning the transfer of staff...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matters for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. I have been informed by IDA that the Agency does not own any lands in Edermine, Enniscorthy but it does own approximately 2.4 hectares in Moine Upper, Enniscorthy, of which 1.9231 hectares are marketable for industrial purposes.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (17 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The primary agencies under the remit of my Department with responsibility for supports and initiatives for small and medium enterprises in Donegal are Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Donegal County Enterprise Board (CEB). Enterprise Ireland provides funding and expertise to companies with ten or more employees in the indigenous manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors who...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (17 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency and not a matter in which I have a function. I have been informed by IDA that there are 28 IDA owned buildings vacant at present. In addition, the Agency leases units from private investors and I understand that 35 of those units are also vacant. Details of the locations of these...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (17 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. Shannon Development's remit includes the provision of property solutions to accommodate the FDI sector in the Mid West region. IDA Ireland works closely with Shannon Development in the promotion and marketing of these tailored property solutions,...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department is required to relocate 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme and this is planned to occur by the end of 2009. In order to accommodate staff who wished to move earlier than the projected building completion date of late 2009, officials of my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance and the OPW, as well as decentralising staff...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (16 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that a work permit was issued recently in this case.

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (16 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The new Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, which was launched in June 2006, provides the means to achieve convergence, coherence and complementarity in the national innovation system and ensure that maximum economic and social benefits are derived from the Government's commitment of €8.2 billion to the area under the National Development Plan. The Strategy envisages changes...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (16 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Acts, IDA Ireland is independent of the Minister of the day in the exercise of its functions relating to the purchase, disposal or leasing of property. However, ministerial consent for the disposal or granting of a lease is required in certain circumstances. In the case of the company mentioned by the Deputy, ministerial consent under section 3(4) of the...