Results 3,461-3,480 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: The issues of job losses and gains in Enterprise Ireland supported companies is a day-to-day matter for the agency itself, and not one in which I am directly involved. The Forfás Annual Employment Survey is the indicator used to record jobs gained and lost in Enterprise Ireland in any one year. Provisional Forfás figures for 2006 show that Enterprise Ireland currently works with 120...

Written Answers — : (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: During the period in question, there were five closures / major job loss announcements in agency-assisted companies in Youghal involving over 700 jobs. Earlier this month, a further agency-assisted firm in Fermoy announced its intention to close its operation with the loss of 253 jobs. However, the most recent Live Register figures for Fermoy and Youghal show increases of less than 100...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Since 2002, twenty-five officers in my Department have attended training courses in project management which were funded from the Department's training budget. These courses were organised to enhance the competencies of the officers concerned and stem from discussions with their managers through the annual Performance Management and Development System (PMDS). The training provided enhanced...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: There are 2,073,300 people in employment as published by the CSO in the latest Quarterly National Household Survey (June-August 2006). The breakdown by economic sector is set out in the table below. Economic Sector 2006 Agriculture, forestry and fishing 121,700 Other production industries 296,600 Construction 277,800 Wholesale and retail trade 297,800 Hotels and restaurants 120,600...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Government decided on 24th October, 2006 to continue to require that nationals of Bulgaria and Romania apply for work permits in order to participate in the Irish labour market from 1st January, 2007, the date of accession of these countries to the European Union. But I should emphasise that preference is being given to nationals of Bulgaria and Romania over third-country nationals as...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2000-2006 is comprised of both NDP funded and ESF funded projects/measures targeted at a regional level, not at county level. Monitoring and reporting of activity both physical and financial is done at regional level, that is, at Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) and Southern and Eastern (S&E) Regional levels. Therefore,...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2000-2006 is comprised of both NDP funded and ESF investments targeted at the regional level, not at county level. Monitoring and reporting of activity both physical and financial is done at regional level, that is, at Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) and Southern and Eastern (S&E) Regional levels. Therefore, little...

Written Answers — International Standards: International Standards (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I assume that the Deputy is referring to domestic clothes washing machines. The National Standards Authority of Ireland has advised me that it has adopted the following standards for such machines:— I.S. EN 60335-2-7:2003 including Amendments A1: 2004 and A2: 2006 HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES — SAFETY PART 2-7: PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS FOR WASHING MACHINES. I.S. EN...

Written Answers — Equality Issues: Equality Issues (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I would advise the Deputy that I do not have any responsibility in relation to the Equal Status Act 2000. The investigation of complaints under that Act is a matter for the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations.

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Merchandise Marks Act 1887, as amended by the Consumer Information Act 1978, makes it an offence to apply a false or misleading trade description to a wide range of characteristics of goods, including the material of which goods are composed. Directive 1984/450/EEC on Misleading Advertising, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Misleading Advertising)...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that the last application made to this section by the above named individual was on the 14th of June 2005 and was subsequently refused on the grounds that the above named individual was on a study visa and was therefore not entitled to enter full time employment. To-date no further application has been submitted to this section.

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has identified one Statutory Instrument which was not sent to the bodies prescribed in Section 3 (1) (a) of the 1947 Act within the seven day time limit, although all the other requirements of the Act were observed. I signed S.I. No. 290 of 2006 European Communities (Co-operation between National Authorities Responsible for the Enforcement of Consumer Protection Laws)...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (1 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that the Director of Consumer Affairs has received a considerable number of complaints from consumers in relation to the introduction of the charge referred to in the Deputy's question. However, I do not share the view that introducing measures or imposing controls in relation to the price traders charge for goods or services would necessarily address the concerns raised by the...

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: All proper procedures were adhered to in this case and all necessary action was taken. The person concerned was employed on a short term contract as a Temporary Service Attendant. His contract was due to expire on 12th May 2006. His contract was extended until 28th July 2006 to allow for a number of appeals he made in writing and orally. The Secretary General of the Department, having...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I have seen the letter referred to in the Deputy's question. The letter focuses on a recent confirmation that members of the Richardsons Fertilisers Staff Retirement Benefits Plan have been deemed eligible for support under the UK Government's Financial Assistance Scheme for insolvent pension schemes. Accordingly, it appears that members now have the prospect of receiving up to 80% of their...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: In 2006 there were twelve IDA led visits by potential investors to the North West. Seven of these investors visited County Donegal and three visited Buncrana. IDA Ireland is actively marketing the North West, including County Donegal and the Innisowen Peninsula, for additional investment and jobs through it network of overseas offices. Target sectors that the Agency is pursuing for the...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the development of property solutions for enterprise promotion in the Mid West Region lies with Shannon Development. Responsibility for grant assistance to companies locating in the Region is an operational matter for the relevant development agencies. IDA Ireland is the national agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Set out below is a list of the air travel undertaken by me, using commercial airlines, in the calendar year 2006. In each case, the departure date and itinerary are supplied. My Department does not keep a record of distances flown. The Deputy should note that all of the travel undertaken was done so as part of my Ministerial functions, in particular in the promotion of Irish economic and...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Until her marriage is contracted, the Romanian national to whom the Deputy refers will require an Employment Permit in order to work in Ireland. Spouses of Irish citizens may apply to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to have their immigration status changed to enable them to work without the requirement of an Employment Permit.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The following table supplies the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the details of contracts carried out by Indecon, Economic Consultant since 2000. 2001 Name of Consultants Purpose of Consultancy Total Cost for Year Was the Contract advertised in a transparent way? £ Indecon/Enviros Consulting Limited Forfás Commissioned a study on the Competitiveness of the...