Results 3,061-3,080 of 3,895 for speaker:John Halligan

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: IDA Ireland Portfolio (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: The national regeneration development agency will have a role in respect of land for social and affordable housing delivery. The idea is to bring together relevant Departments and agencies in order to unlock the potential for State landbanks and to ensure the best allocation for funding. I return to the development plans set in all areas and regions. They deal with landbanks that are...

Other Questions: Brexit Supports (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: On Friday last, my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, published new Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, research commissioned by my Department on the potential impacts of Brexit on our trade relationships with the UK, and it was stated then, and I say it again, that the Government is committed to ensuring the continued growth and...

Other Questions: Brexit Supports (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: The local enterprise offices provide a range of support, including in the year to date 185 clients have availed of what they call the technical assistance to micro-enterprises. I acknowledge what the Deputy says but we have a booklet, which is on our website, entitled Building Stronger Businesses Getting Brexit Ready. The Department and its agencies work intensively with Irish companies to...

Other Questions: Brexit Supports (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: I will address Deputy Kelleher's question by saying that the Copenhagen Economics report did that. An interesting statement was made this morning by Mr. Simon McKeever, the CEO of the Irish Exporters Association. He acknowledged that much work is being done by the Government. As the Minister stated earlier, we are reasonably prepared, considering the complexities that face us and the...

Other Questions: Research Funding (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: I thank the Deputy for his interesting question. Investment in research, development and innovation increases economic productivity and competitiveness, improves quality of life and health and has positive social and environmental outcomes. There is no question that with the advancements in technology over the next ten, 15 or 20 years every country will have to invest substantially in...

Other Questions: Research Funding (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: It is interesting that in the Deputy's region of Kildare 15 companies supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are involved in research and development. These include Dawn Farm Foods, Green Isle Foods, Hewlett-Packard and Pfizer Ireland. Through Enterprise Ireland, the Department, Science Foundation Ireland and the enterprise boards, there is a driving influence in research and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: As Minister, I am fully focused on ensuring that we are in a position to make the most of any potential Brexit-related opportunities. I am also fully confident that my Department and the enterprise agencies under my remit are doing everything they can to capitalise on any opportunities that Brexit presents. In Budget 2018 a further additional €3m in pay funding was provided to the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Directives (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: My Department engaged in two public consultations on the Trade Secrets Directive; in 2014 on the Commission's initial proposal and subsequently in 2017 post adoption of the Directive and in the lead up to the commencement of work on its transposition.  Both consultations were available on my Department's website and were also directly addressed to stakeholders...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Research and Development Funding (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: In 2011 and as part of the Europe 2020 Strategy to support growth that is smart, sustainable and inclusive, the Government committed to raise gross investment in Research and Development to 2.5% of GNP by 2020. This commitment was reiterated in Innovation 2020 in 2015. Expenditure on Innovation, Research & Development consists of both public and private expenditure. Gross...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 210 together. School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: Apprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme, which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. Consequently, the number of apprentices being registered is determined by employers within each sector. My Department is committed to supporting the increased registration of apprentices across all...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: A copy of a business case in relation to the project referred to by the Deputy has been received and is being considered by my Department. Funding for such centres in the Education and Training Board sector is approved on the basis that they are self-financing and that their financial activities would be separate from the overall ETB finances. My Department is considering...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Ireland (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 367 together. Enterprise Ireland drives innovation in Irish industry by developing in-company capabilities and by leveraging all external assets, such as the higher education system, the investor community, the Foreign Direct Investment Multinational base and international funding/expertise to support company innovations. Research,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Schemes (10 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: Horizon 2020 is the current EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This is the EU programme which supports research and innovation throughout the 28 EU Member States. Funding is secured for the final work programme for Horizon 2020 which will run until the end of 2020. Brexit is therefore not expected to have a significant impact upon the activity or the funding for Horizon...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Protected Disclosures (11 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: Reflecting their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to the governance and oversight of the higher education sector, my Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) have consistently sought to treat information received regarding possible wrongdoing very seriously, both prior to and subsequent to the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act in July 2014. In particular...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Community Training Centres (11 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: The pay and conditions approved for Local Training Initiative (LTI) coordinators is a matter for their employers and the national authorities. It is further noted that LTI Programme has not, to date, been selected for inclusion in the ETB Training for the Unemployed operation within the current Irish ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. The activities...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Availability (11 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Post-Leaving Certificate Courses (11 Jul 2018)

John Halligan: Last Wednesday I, along with Department and SOLAS officials, met with the Deputy, who was joined by Dublin Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) and the principal of Blakestown Community school, in relation to this matter. It was agreed at the meeting that DDLETB/Blakestown would send a proposal to SOLAS in relation to the fitting out and allocation of four additional PLC provisions commencing in...