Results 48,381-48,400 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: It is an outstanding project.

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (3 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: Unemployment is measured through the quarterly national household survey as published by the Central Statistics Office. The survey does not provide data on specific towns and is available on a regional basis only. The most recent data published in September 2006 show that the unemployment rate for the south-west region, which includes Tralee, is 3.7%, a decrease of 0.5% in the year. This...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (3 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 390 together. The marketing of individual areas, including Cavan and Monaghan, for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for IDA Ireland. While I may give general policy directives to the agency, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: The total amount of net funding allocated to my Department in this year's Estimates is €1,673.937 million. This figure includes €355.614 million from the National Training Fund and €29.780 million in capital allocations from 2005 which were carried forward in accordance with the provisions of the multi-annual Capital Investment Framework. My Department and its agencies have a series...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (28 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: Unemployment is measured through the Quarterly National Household Survey as published by the Central Statistics Office. The Survey provides a breakdown of data on a regional basis only and not on specific towns. The most recent Survey data published in September shows that the national unemployment rate is 4.3%. The equivalent rate for the West region, which includes Ballina, is 4.2%. Live...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (28 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: The total amount of grants paid by Enterprise Ireland and its predecessors to Irish Country Bacon (Rooskey) Ltd over the period 1996 — 2006 was €208,022. In addition, the company also received payments of €824,324 under the FEOGA Programme. The company has not returned any grant aid to Enterprise Ireland. Discussions between Enterprise Ireland and the company concerning grant aid to...

Written Answers — Groceries Order: Groceries Order (28 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Groceries Order was abolished primarily because it allowed wholesalers and suppliers to determine minimum retail prices charged to consumers, thereby seriously constraining price competition in the grocery trade. During the time the Groceries Order was in force more than 2,000 small independent retailers went out of business resulting in the grocery trade in Ireland becoming more...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (28 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: On 22nd May 2006, I announced a major injection of liquidity into the venture capital market through a scheme to be administered by Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland will be investing €175 million which will leverage an estimated €1 billion for investment into seed, start-up and development stage businesses. This money is being made available via Enterprise Ireland to venture...

Job Losses. (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I was very concerned to hear that the company in question has announced it will reduce its workforce during October and November. According to the company, this difficult decision was taken due to the non-viability of the wholesale section of the business. I am very conscious of the effect these job losses will have on the workers involved, their...

Job Losses. (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: Enterprise Ireland has approved funding of over €1.2 million to client companies in the north Mayo area since 2003. A new Enterprise Ireland supported high potential start-up company, Heatsolve Limited, commenced operations in Ballina in 2005. I was with it in South Africa last week. Enterprise Ireland has committed funding of over €700,000 to the IRD North Mayo-West Sligo Limited for...

Job Losses. (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: This is an important point. I did not interrupt the Deputy and it is important in a debate such as this that we put facts on the table. In August 2005, there were 1,605 people on the live register in Ballina. The most recent data available, which are for August 2006, show that the number has fallen to 1,448.

Job Losses. (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: Going back four years to August 2002, the figure for Ballina was 528 higher than now, with 1,976 people on the live register. The Deputy's use of the words "unemployment blackspot" to describe a growing and developing town does nothing to help its position regarding future investment.

Job Losses. (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: That negative profile does nothing to help any agency attract anything. We will make every effort regarding indigenous industry and to attract foreign direct investment, but overall the message that must emanate from Mayo is that we are open for all kinds of investment, including those that use the natural resources of our seas.

Job Losses. (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: What is going on with the campaign regarding the oil discoveries off the Mayo coast does nothing to enhance the county's external perception as a place where one can do business.

Company Closures. (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for raising these matters. I appreciate Deputy Cregan's very constructive approach in his opening statement by trying to look for a way forward to see whether we can salvage something from yesterday's pessimistic announcement of the appointment of a liquidator and next month's High Court hearing in the matter. I thank Deputy Neville for raising it, and appreciate his...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: As part of a response to the shortage of qualified labour in the health sector, a fast-track Work Visa/Work Authorisation scheme was introduced in 2000 to facilitate the immigration of suitably qualified medical professionals including physiotherapists. The Work Permits section of my Department has informed me that the number of permits issued in respect of physiotherapists for 2005 and from...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Work Permits section of my Department has informed me that this application was refused and that the employer has appealed but the original decision in this case was upheld. I should add that, in the aftermath of EU Enlargement, it is Government policy that employers should be able to source nearly all of their workforce needs from within the EU. Accordingly, only in cases where...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 933 and 934 together. The Small Business Forum, which I set up last year, and whose report I published in May, were asked by me to examine the overall current environment for conducting small business in Ireland and to advise on the adequacy and appropriateness of public policy responses in the context of that environment. In carrying out their review the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: The person concerned was employed on a short-term contract as a Temporary Service Attendant. His contract was due to expire on 12 May 2006. His contract was extended until 28 July 2006 to allow for a number of appeals he made in writing and orally. The Secretary General of the Department, having fully considered the matter, and following legal advice from the Office of the Attorney...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (27 Sep 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Health and Safety Authority, which is the body responsible for enforcement of occupational safety and health legislation in Ireland, has conducted a pilot programme in relation to the Voluntary Protection Programme. This pilot programme, which commenced in 2004, arose out of a joint EU/US meeting that considered areas for practical co-operation between the EU and US. The programme is...