Results 3,681-3,700 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and the National development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 are the principal mechanisms in place to facilitate and encourage regional development. Overall responsibility for the NSS rests with my colleague Mr. Dick Roche T.D. Minister for the Environment and Local Government and overall responsibility for the NDP rests with my colleague Mr. Brian Cowen T.D. Minister...

Written Answers — Research and Development Expenditure: Research and Development Expenditure (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: A more meaningful reflection of spending on research and development in the business sector (BERD) is arrived at by using expenditure comparisons to GNP rather than GDP. BERD expenditure in Ireland rose from €124 million in 1987 (0.52% of GNP) to €612 million in 1997 (1.03% of GNP). Latest data show that estimated BERD rose to €1,560 million in 2006 (1.05% of GNP), which represents a...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The thirty-five County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were established in 1993 to provide support to small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. Their function is to develop indigenous enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity at local level. The CEBs support individuals, firms, community groups, provided that the projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability....

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The primary purpose of the Community Employment Programme is to assist unemployed people to re-enter the labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through the establishment of a work routine supported by the enhancement/development of technical and personal skills. The programme is also designed to facilitate the movement of participants, thereby allowing new participants who...

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

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that an application was received on the 3rd August, 2006. This application was refused on the 26th September 2006 on the basis that the position the employer seeks to fill could be filled from within the EU. Having heard an appeal, the original decision was upheld in this case. The employer was notified of these decisions in...

Written Answers — Job Advertising: Job Advertising (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together. As a Member State of the European Union, Ireland is part of a wider EU labour market of some 200 million workers, including workers from the ten new Accession States who were admitted to the Irish labour market without restrictions on 1st May, 2004. Employers are therefore free to advertise in and recruit from within any part of the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: It has been a key strategic objective for Enterprise Ireland (EI), since the agency was established in 1998, to bring all Dublin based staff, currently spread over four separate buildings across the city, together in one location. Having explored a number of possible solutions, the Board of Enterprise Ireland decided that the single site office solution offered in the East Point Business Park...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Where the rate of VAT applying to a specific good or service is reduced, I would expect that retailers would apply the reduced rate of VAT in respect of that good or service so that consumers ultimately benefit. The Revenue Commissioners as part of their function of collecting VAT returns also verify that the returns made by retailers accord with the provisions of the relevant tax code. It...

Written Answers — Corporate Enforcement: Corporate Enforcement (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Eight additional staff will be assigned to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) this year. The issue of the assignment of additional gardaí to the ODCE is being progressed also. Consideration of any request for additional staffing has to take account of the overall demands for staffing both within the Department and its Agencies and Offices. The ODCE does not in...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is as follows: Enterprise Ireland — There are currently 2 vacancies on the Board of Enterprise Ireland (EI). The positions have been vacant since 23rd July 2006. There have been no appointments to the EI Board since September 2006. The remuneration due to appointees to the EI Board is: Chairperson — €24,000; and Directors — €14,000. The terms...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is my understanding that Enterprise Ireland (EI) will vacate its Glasnevin site during 2008. Thereafter the disposal of the site will be a matter for EI, in close consultation with the relevant Government Departments.

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

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department have informed me that the following are the figures for permits applied, approved and rejected in the past five years. Total Received Approved Rejected 2003 48,562 46,943 1,619 2004 34,491 33,206 1,285 2005 27,416 26,288 1,128 2006 22,626 21,502 1,124 2007 to date 3,341 2,950 391

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 377 together. The following tabular statement sets out the position in relation to full time permanent jobs in manufacturing in Enterprise Agency (Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland) assisted firms in Co. Kildare in the past eight years. In that period 8,112 new permanent jobs were created in manufacturing, while job losses amounted to 5,169 giving a...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together. Since the abolition of the Groceries Order almost 12 months ago, I have regularly reviewed the Consumer Price Index, which is published monthly by the Central Statistics Office. The CPI includes statistics on items previously covered and not covered by the Groceries Order. Despite the implication in the question, I never predicted that...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together. A budget totalling €1,046,861,000 has been allocated to FÁS for 2007. This budget ensures that overall numbers on schemes are maintained at 2006 levels. I am satisfied that this level of funding is more then adequate to support the ongoing requirements of FÁS in the delivery of its labour market programmes.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in the relocation of the required 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. With regard to the property side of the Department's move, the Office of Public Works completed the purchase of a site in Carlow town centre late in 2005. On 31st May 2006, the OPW commenced the tendering process by seeking expressions of...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The relocation of businesses within particular types of industry, and with it a certain number of jobs, is a reality of modern global manufacturing for a highly developed economy such as Ireland. The factors that influence a firm's decision to relocate are varied and complex. In addition to relative wage rates and other cost factors, these may include business takeovers, consolidations and...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 to 380, inclusive, together. Economies throughout the developed world experience flows of capital as firms make adjustments to their operations and decide where to locate different aspects of their value chain. In this context and with the extending influence of globalisation, every major economy of the European Union has seen plants and jobs relocate to...

Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Every country in Europe has its own system.