Results 4,861-4,880 of 6,315 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Dublin Docklands Development Authority (11 Mar 2015)

Gerald Nash: I will relay the Senator's concerns to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. She is correct that the local community has to be involved in the development of the docklands area. I understand such engagement was provided for in the 1987 Act and I know from conversations with my colleagues that the experience has been positive in terms of providing public services...

Seanad: Succession (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Mar 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Senators for their contributions. This is a matter which concerns and troubles us all. It is the Government’s intention to address this egregious situation, as well as the concerns eloquently raised here this afternoon. We are all human beings and it requires a human response. On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who unfortunately...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Low Pay Commission Establishment (10 Mar 2015)

Gerald Nash: The establishment of a Low Pay Commission is one of the key commitments in the Statement of Government Priorities agreed in July last. The Commission was officially launched on 26 February last to operate on an interim administrative basis, and the Commission held its first meeting on the same day. Legislation to provide for the establishment of the LPC on a statutory basis will be...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transfer of Undertakings (10 Mar 2015)

Gerald Nash: I understand that the company in question is entering into negotiations with trade unions regarding restructuring arrangements, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specifics of this particular case. Ireland’s system of industrial relations is voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial relations issues lies ultimately with employers and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Labour Court Recommendations (10 Mar 2015)

Gerald Nash: I assume the Deputy’s question relates to the current proposal for an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the Security sector. In January 2014, Orders were signed to effect recommendations of the Labour Court Review of the Joint Labour Committee System (JLC), including that relating to the continuation of a JLC in the Security Sector. Subsequently the Labour Court appointed members...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (3 Mar 2015)

Gerald Nash: In accordance with the Statement of Government priorities, I have commissioned a study into the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts and the impact of such contracts on employees. I recently announced the appointment of the University of Limerick (UL) to carry out the study. The appointment of UL follows a competitive tendering process. The key objectives of the study are: - To fill...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Jobs Data (19 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Senator Cullinane. The most recent annual employment survey showed that, at the end of 2014 in Waterford, there were a total of 10,157 people in full and part-time employment in client companies of Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.Enterprise Ireland clients employ 5,060 people while IDA Ireland clients employ 5,097. Corresponding figures for 2008 were 5,655 for Enterprise Ireland...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Jobs Data (19 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: In the last two years the number at work in the region has risen by approximately 19,000 and the unemployment rate has fallen from 19.4% to 13.7%. That is a substantial achievement. All of the agencies and, indeed, all of the public representatives in the area, including the Senator and my colleague Deputy Conway, work very hard in this regard. Obviously, Waterford and the south-east...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Action Plan for Jobs (19 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Senator Reilly for the opportunity to discuss the recently launched Action Plan for Jobs on a regional basis. Last week we launched the framework of that strategy. After I leave the Seanad, I will meet the implementation group for the strategy. I can assure Senator Reilly that I will play a leading role in rolling out the Border plan. It very much affects my constituency of Louth...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: I know Deputy Calleary is well aware of the issue of exiting banks and refinancing of loans. We are going to do two things in terms of adapting this scheme, which is permissible under the existing Act in any event. I will lay the new scheme before the House over the next few days. We are making significant progress on the matter. As we have stated previously, the scheme will allow for...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: I will definitely do so.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: It will command broad support. I will be happy to do that.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am fine, thanks.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: As I understand it, farm safety walks are a relatively new innovation and something the Health and Safety Authority wishes to promote. The authority takes what might be described as a blended approach to safety issues. From the point of view of farm safety, the number of farm fatalities in recent months, including those of young children and experienced farm workers and owners, is very...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: This is a new innovation in the public policy landscape. Today I will be announcing the composition of the low pay commission. I hope that the chairman designate will have the opportunity to speak to the committee over the next while. The commission is a priority for Government in terms of our dignity at work agenda and making work pay. This year there is a budget of €500,000. We...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: I welcome Deputy Conaghan's remarks. As a Minister of State with responsibility for SMEs, I have had the opportunity over the past few months to travel around the country and talk to SME owners and managers about their experiences. We are now in an entirely different space even compared to two years ago. There is now much more confidence out there. The local enterprise office approach is...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (17 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: The HSA is an area for which I am responsible. To the best of my knowledge, there is no direct financial contribution from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine but our Department and that Department, as the Deputy will know, work closely together on initiatives. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Minister, Deputy Coveney, had some public engagements last year in regard to...

Other Questions: Research and Development Supports (12 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: All of our agencies have policies in place to encourage greater levels of research and innovation and to build the innovation capacity of our enterprises. Enterprise Ireland directly supports companies which engage in innovation, with instruments designed to support companies at different levels of engagement in innovation. IDA Ireland also has a suite of supports for client companies which...

Other Questions: Research and Development Supports (12 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: There are a range of different activities going on at present. One company that I am particularly knowledgeable about is called Combilift. It is an amazingly successful company that is dedicated to the area of research and innovation, and the benefits of that have really borne fruit with its major jobs announcement last week. Three quarters of research and development active companies are...

Other Questions: Research and Development Supports (12 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: Our agencies, such as IDA Ireland, are involved in pilot mid-tier programmes to bring small and medium-sized companies up to the level that we all want them to be at. There is a lot of activity in that space. There has been significant investment ring-fenced by Government around research and development, even during difficult times, because we could see the benefits of State investment....