Results 3,141-3,160 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department and its agencies are fully engaged in preparing for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ was launched in March.  The Scorecard is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit.  A recent survey of SMEs...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Schemes (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department, through Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices across the country provide a range of supports to help companies start, grow and export. Since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved via Enterprise Ireland for the development of CECs across the country.  CECs provide business space for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Competitiveness (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Ireland's improved competitiveness has been central to employment growth. In 2016, Ireland moved from 16th to seventh in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. Brexit means we must do more to enhance our attractiveness as a location to start, locate and grow a business. The National Competitiveness Council has undertaken a benchmarking exercise comparing Irish and UK...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I launched the Framework for Town Centre Renewal in Sligo on 25th April.  The publication of the Framework represents a key deliverable for the Retail Consultation Forum, which I chair, under the Action Plan for Jobs 2017. The Framework will play an important part in the work to rejuvenate and revitalise towns and villages around the country. It will be a key support document...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The West Regional Action Plan for Jobs, which covers Roscommon, Galway and Mayo, is aimed at maximising the strengths and assets of the region, to support enterprise growth and job creation. We are seeing progress: 11,400 jobs have been created across these counties from the start of 2015 to end 2016. In Roscommon County, live register numbers have been falling - by 30% over the past 4...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Minimum Wage (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There is no evidence to suggest that there is a link between lower than expected tax receipts and low pay in new jobs. It is also notable that the proportion of employees reporting earnings at or below the national minimum wage has dropped very substantially, from 11.4% to 8.6%. The Low Pay Commission was established in 2015 to examine and make recommendations annually on the national...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Insurance Costs (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: One of the recommendations in the Cost of Insurance Working Group Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance published on 10 January 2017 by the Minister for Finance, Mr Michael Noonan T.D., and the Minister of State for Financial Services, Mr Eoghan Murphy T.D. is to publish Heads of a Bill to enhance the powers of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). In June 2014, a public...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Schemes (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved for the development of CECs across the country.  Since 1989, 157 centres have been approved for financial support - of which 117 have been completed. These centres collectively employ 6,051 people across 1,214 companies. Most recently, a €5m Community Enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Supports (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The terms of reference for the review of the Succeed-in-Ireland initiative have yet to be finalised. The review will be commissioned following their completion. The Succeed-in-Ireland initiative was operated by Connect Ireland on the basis of a contract between it and IDA Ireland. The IDA's only financial obligations in connection with the initiative are those that arise from that...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My responsibility, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, is to ensure that Ireland as a whole is best placed to capitalise on whatever foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities may emerge on account of Brexit. I regularly engage with IDA Ireland about its Brexit related requirements and issues in connection with securing new investment for all counties...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On 29 March 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May formally notified the European Council of the UK's intention to leave the EU in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.  This means that the two-year exit process has now commenced. My Department has contributed to the central risk assessment, coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, over the course of the past...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The IDA continues to work hard to both identify and pursue new opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) for Ireland that may arise on account of Brexit. This process involves engaging with potential clients, both at home and abroad, in connection with various issues associated with locating or expanding here. As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I work closely...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On 15 February 2017, the European Parliament voted in support of the provisional application of CETA.  The process of ratification can now commence in some 43 national parliaments and regional assemblies across the EU according to their constitutional requirements. In Ireland’s case, the Dáil will be part of the final decision to ratify the Agreement. My understanding is...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Property Portfolio (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Firstly, I would like to make it clear that the factory concerned is not under the ownership of Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland. The facility concerned is not a client of either agency. Both Agencies have engaged with the relevant parties about marketing the facility as suitable for potential investors. The property has also been included on the IDA’s database of available office...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Site Visits (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Under its current strategy, IDA Ireland has targeted an increase of 30% to 40% in foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region outside Dublin by 2019. The data available shows that progress is being made towards achieving this goal, with 173 site visits recorded in the first quarter of this year.  This is an increase of over 20% on 2016, when 136 visits were recorded for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 88 together. My Department and its Agencies continue to monitor and assess carefully the various issues in connection with Brexit that may impact on foreign direct investment and employment in Ireland. We also regularly engage directly with companies regarding concerns they have surrounding the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Our...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department’s agencies are actively supporting companies to prepare for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland (EI) is in in regular contact with some 600 clients who are most reliant on the UK market. A key focus is to support companies in sustaining and growing exports to the UK while also supporting diversification into new markets. The EI #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The goal of this Government is to support the creation of an additional 200,000 jobs by 2020 with 135,000 jobs outside Dublin. This is a whole of Government effort and is delivered through our integrated Action Plan for Jobs. Since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in early 2012, almost 206,000 more people are at work. Over 66,000 jobs were created during 2016. Employment...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Income Data (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Exchequer Income Tax receipts of €1,762 million collected in April were 1.0% or €19m below monthly target. This represents a 0.8% or €14m increase compared to April 2016. The Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance have stated that they are examining the matter. Of late, the bulk of this jobs growth has been in full time employment, representing a...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Services Provision (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The total value of grants paid by IDA Ireland to client companies since 2010 are outlined in the following table. Year Amount 2010 €120,440,184 2011 €96,757,220 2012 €89,326,201 2013 €87,951,297 2014 €87,487,265 2015 €97,737.583 Grants paid in a particular year are not necessarily linked to either the investments won or the jobs created...