Results 541-560 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is precisely what we will be doing in the budget. It is not about one or the other.

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is about supporting our workers and the development of services in this country and, most of all, about creating the kind of economy that can invest. If we do not manage the economy properly, there will not be the money to invest, which is the position this country found itself in a few years ago.

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the retirement of the Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O'Sullivan, the process is under way to appoint her successor. It is primarily the job of the Policing Authority and the Public Appointments Service, PAS, working together to find the best candidate for that job. The Deputy quoted a salary figure, but certainly there is no decision by the Government regarding that figure,...

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first thing we want to do is make sure we continue the economic progress the country has seen. In the very first instance we have the capital which is provided by the Government. We have taxpayers who are paying tax and because it has been managed properly, we are now in a position to invest in services, contrary to the position inherited by the previous Government three or four years...

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is focusing on the priority areas in health. For example, reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of the Government's key priorities. It is for that reason that €20 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, in the budget, rising to €55 million in 2018. In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients,...

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I repeat that the development of new primary care health centres is a priority for the Government. As Deputy Kelleher will be aware, funding has been allocated. The Deputy will have seen the centres that have already opened. Clearly, that has to be a huge part of the focus in making sure there are appropriate referrals to emergency departments. The renegotiation of the GP contract is a key...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Brexit presents the most significant economic challenge of the past 50 years and long-term, structural and disruptive change will emerge. Following the UK’s vote to leave the EU, the need to accelerate and implement competitiveness, innovation and market diversification strategies at a national and company level cannot be underestimated. My Department and Agencies have been at the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is difficult at this early stage of negotiations to predict the full impact of Brexit. Much will depend on the nature of the future trade deal that will be negotiated between the EU and the UK. These negotiations are proving particularly complex and multifaceted. Promoting diversified export markets in light of the potential impacts of Brexit is a key priority for my Department....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to Ireland’s continued economic growth. Overall, export growth in Ireland in recent years has been exceptionally strong and exports continue to contribute positively to growth. The EU’s suite of Free Trade Agreements with third Countries help to open new markets, break down barriers and provide new...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Data (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Central Statistics Office publishes data relating to newly registered businesses on an annual basis since 2008, as part of their Business Demography reporting. The data from 2008 to 2015 is contained in Appendix 1. Enterprise Ireland is the state agency under my aegis with responsibility for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Enterprise Ireland works in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Staff (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Staffing resources are sought and allocated across my Department and its Offices, including the ODCE, in the context of the requirement to manage the pay bill and staff numbers in accordance with Government policy, utilising available resources in the most effective and efficient manner as appropriate to business needs and priorities. My Department's HR Unit works with individual business...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the 15th February 2017, the European Parliament gave its consent to the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Provisional application is a standard part of EU trade agreements and allows only those parts of the agreement for which the EU has competence to be provisionally applied, pending the completion of each Member State’s procedures...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The EU, Australia and New Zealand are like-minded partners who share many common perspectives on today's international trade environment. The EU and Australia conduct their trade and economic relations under the EU-Australia Partnership Framework of October 2008. This aims, apart from cooperation on the multilateral trade system and trade in services and investment issues, to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Relations Commission (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following certain changes in Departmental functions that came into effect on 1 September 2017, certain responsibilities formerly within the remit of this Department have transferred to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The Schedule to Statutory Instrument No. 361 of 2017 entitled "Labour Affairs and Labour Law (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Administrative Arrangements (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: By virtue of the Labour Affairs and Labour Law (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 which came into effect on 1st September last, certain functions, including employment legislation, that came under my Departments remit transferred to my colleague Regina Doherty TD, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. My Department has maintained...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Ireland Funding (21 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Brexit presents the most significant economic challenge of the past 50 years and long-term, structural and disruptive change will emerge. Following the UK’s vote to leave the EU, the need to accelerate and implement competitiveness, innovation and market diversification strategies at a national and company level cannot be underestimated. This is at the crux of Enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require across all regions of the country, to address challenges arising from the UK's decision to leave the EU. Short, medium and long term responses from market diversification through to price repositioning will be needed. On foot of extensive engagement with industry, my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Applications (20 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 140 together. An application for an employment permit was received in the Department on 27 January 2017 with decision to refuse the granting of the application advised by letter dated 23rd March 2017. In line with Employment Permits legislation, applications must be supported by certain criteria and requirements depending on the employment permit...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Portfolio (20 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: IDA Ireland property holdings in Tuam include a 14 hectare Business Park and an 11 hectare Business & Technology Park. The Business Park was developed in the 1980s and received an infrastructural upgrade between 2012 and 2013 whilst the Business & Technology Park was developed in 2000. Both parks are held under IDA freehold title with tenants on long term lease...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Research Funding (20 Sep 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department through its agencies funds research activities and supports for innovation across the full range of Technology Readiness Levels. Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a measure of the maturity or proximity to market of a technology. Lower TRLs (1-3) include demonstration of basic principles through to proof of concept. Medium TRLs (4-7) span technology validation and...