Results 47,301-47,320 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The employments Permits Section of my Department have informed me that the following are the figures for permits applied, approved and rejected in the first six months of 2006 and the first six months of 2007. Applications Received Permits Issued Permits Refused 2006 Jan-June 14,487 12,378 531 2007 Jan-June 13,289 8,966 863

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Factors affecting the competitiveness of dynamic market economies are constantly changing. Ireland has prospered by being closely connected with global markets and using the opportunities of globalisation and the EU Single Market to create employment and build a broad based enterprise economy. Markets and companies adjust to aspects of competitiveness that are specific to their sector. Some...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in regard to the relocation of 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. The following business units/Offices of my Department have been selected as part of the Decentralisation Programme and will be relocated in the new decentralised office: Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies National...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Community Employment budget for 2007 is €355.5m and has been provided with a view to maintaining overall numbers on schemes at 2006 levels (circa 22,200 nationally). Following a review of FÁS employment schemes, I announced that, with effect from 10th November, 2004 funding would be provided for participants on the Job Initiative Scheme to continue to have their contracts renewed.

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together. Employment figures in Enterprise Agency assisted firms are collated on an annual basis. The latest figure available for total full-time job losses is 21,090 in 2006; 27,017 full-time jobs were created in the same year. While any factory closures or job losses are to be regretted they must be viewed in the context of an historically...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: When the company in question announced the closure of its Naas facility last December, the reasons that were cited for the closure were a reduction in market demand, intense cost pressure from automotive manufacturers, competitive pressures and the euro/dollar exchange rate. The company decided it had no option but to retrench its global European mirror production into one company site in...

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The industrial development agencies work closely with local interests in Mallow for the purpose of advancing the attractiveness of Mallow as a location for both indigenous industry and foreign direct investment. In this regard, Enterprise Ireland was involved with the Mallow development partnership and contributed to a commissioned plan on an integrated development strategy for the town...

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: First, I replied to the question tabled. It asked whether my attention was drawn to the enterprise element of the special local area plan for Mallow. The answer is yes. My Department has been party to it, as have the enterprise agencies. The question continued by asking whether I had sought assurances or commitments from Greencore. When I met representatives from the company more than a...

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept the Deputy's statement regarding the Government's position on the workers. We had a number of meetings in that respect and I articulated my position clearly and publicly to the company, as did the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Thankfully. The labour relations machinery of the State kicked in to bring about a satisfactory outcome. Regarding the backbencher's statement, I suggest that Deputy Sherlock ask the Deputy about the announcement.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is a long-standing precedent that the Minister does not comment or speculate on a potential investment in any way.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy would know more than I.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is a matter for the public representatives on Carlow County Council.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am anxious to see development everywhere.

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The role and functions of FÁS are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The current FÁS strategy statement outlines the vision and direction for FÁS for the period 2006 to 2009. The strategy is closely aligned with the policy goals of my Department and was developed in close collaboration with it. The current FÁS strategy recognises the changes in the labour market, including the relatively low...

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: With the science, technology and innovation strategy, the national skills strategy will be a fundamental pillar of economic policy during the coming years. Both are essential for the country's competitiveness. The national skills strategy does not relate to FÁS alone. Rather, it is concerned with upskilling the workforce. We concentrated on the unemployed in previous decades, as we will...

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Strong linkages are developing between FÁS and the institutes of technology in terms of skills, a good example of which is the LÍONRA initiative in the north west involving institutes from Letterkenny to Sligo and Galway. The idea is that where there can be complementarity, there should be, and where institutes can provide a certain component of training or programmes, they should do so....

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: FÁS is rising to the challenge of upskilling. When the business forum produced its report and identified a deficiency in management capability training in the country and the need to do better in that respect, FÁS stepped up to the mark and worked with the SMEs on training programmes. On Deputy Hogan's comment, the best model of upskilling in and incentivising businesses I have seen is...

Consumer Rights. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 16 together. Section 85 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 provides that an authorised officer of the National Consumer Agency who has reasonable grounds for believing a person is committing, or has committed, a relevant offence may serve, personally or by post, a notice, popularly known as an on-the-spot fine, for an offence or offences relating to...

Consumer Rights. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: There is no doubting the validity of the Deputy's point about the need substantially to increase awareness among consumers of their rights and to advocate on the basis of the need to assert those rights when purchasing goods or services. If we can achieve that, we will improve competitiveness in the economy. The Consumer Protection Act specifies the precise function of the National Consumer...