Results 4,001-4,020 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Import Levels: Import Levels (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The most recent full year trade figures published by the Central Statistics Office relate to 2006. While recognising that the level of imports of goods into Ireland is increasing, the figures show that the level of increase has slowed in the last number of years. Between the years 2004 and 2005 imports rose from €51.105 billion to €57.465 billion, a rise of €6.360 billion or 12.44%,...

Written Answers — Enterprise Policy: Enterprise Policy (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The performance of the enterprise sector has been pivotal to the huge success of the Irish economy in recent years and Ireland's long term economic success will depend on the continued strength of our enterprise base. There are almost half a million more people at work now than 6 years ago and while overall economic performance remains strong the Government is committed to increasing the...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 23, 32, 54 and 62 together. The Government reiterated in its Programme for Government commitments made in the recently published National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012,(NCC) of 33% energy savings across the public sector by 2020 (3% per annum). The Strategy sets out measures to be adopted by the Public Sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Set out as follows are details of the air travel undertaken by the Ministers or staff of my Department, using Government aircraft to date in 2007. In each case, the departure date, itinerary and number of officials travelling are supplied. All travel undertaken was done as part of my Department's functions, in particular the promotion of Irish economic and business interests. Government...

Written Answers — Site Visits: Site Visits (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: There were a total of 51 IDA sponsored visits by overseas investors to County Cork in the period from the beginning of January 2005 to the end of May 2007. There were 26 such visits in 2005, 14 in 2006 and 11 so far in 2007. I engage on an ongoing basis directly in support of IDA efforts to attract inward investment to Ireland through participation in IDA promotional efforts both at home and...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Strong, balanced regional development and a thriving culture of entrepreneurship in all parts of Ireland are key strategic objectives for my Department and the development agencies under its remit. I am fully committed to creating and growing internationally competitive businesses in all parts of the country. A key aspect of the high value, knowledge intensive FDI Ireland now competes for,...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: In the period from January, 2006 to the end of May, 2007 there have been a total of 8 IDA sponsored visits by prospective overseas investors to County Sligo, of which 5 were in 2007 and 3 were in 2007. Although site visits are not a normal feature of Enterprise Ireland's promotional activity there were two site visits to County Sligo arranged by E.I. in 2006 and one such visit arranged in...

Written Answers — Skills Development: Skills Development (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Government recognises the importance of up-skilling the workforce to maintain a successful economy. Government policy in this regard has been informed by the report of the Enterprise Strategy Group and that of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs — Towards a National Skills Strategy — published earlier this year. The latter sets challenging objectives to be realised by 2020. We...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The strength of Irish exports in global markets continues to be robust. This is true for trade in both goods and services. In April, the value of merchandise exports (unadjusted) grew by 14% over April 2006. Over the first quarter of 2007, these exports are up 6% over last year. Furthermore the latest Balance of Payments Data released by the Central Statistics Office on 28 June shows that...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The cost of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003 for my Department and its Offices to date is €160,176. To date in 2007 the number of documents published by my Department and its Offices is 17. Of these, 8 were published in English only. The number of documents published in both Irish and English is 9; these 9 documents were published in Irish and English concurrently. My...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in regard to the relocation of 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. The following business units/Offices of my Department have been selected as part of the Decentralisation Programme and will be relocated in the new decentralised office: Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies National...

Written Answers — Competence Centres: Competence Centres (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The recently announced Competence Centre initiative is one of a number of key initiatives emanating from the Government's Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006 — 2013 (SSTI). Competence Centres will be collaborative entities established and led by industry in Ireland and resourced by highly-qualified researchers associated with research institutions that are empowered to...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: State funding for enterprise promotion at all levels is primarily channelled through the relevant State Agencies. The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), funded by my Department, already have a well established role in the delivery of a wide range of enterprise education initiatives as part of their role in promoting and developing indigenous micro-enterprise potential and stimulating...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department and its agencies support the financing of SMEs in a number of ways. The funding provided by Enterprise Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards, in the form of grants, refundable aid and equity participation, provides an important source of finance to many SMEs. In addition, Enterprise Ireland actively promotes the availability of venture capital in Ireland and I have...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Work being undertaken through my Department complements that of the Department of Education and Science which has general responsibility for providing for those with adult literacy problems. The FÁS Workplace Basic Education Fund was established in 2005 to address low levels of literacy and numeracy issues in the workplace. A National Steering Committee was put in place to manage the Fund....

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has undertaken a detailed examination of the New Programme for Government and identified the commitments that will impact on our mission over the term of the new Government. Implementation of the commitments in the Programme will be a major element informing my Department's new Strategy Statement for 2008-2010 as well as the annual Estimates campaigns. To the extent that...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Lisbon Strategy was adopted in March 2000 and aims to make the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. In relation to research and development the strategy's objective is that overall spending on R&D and innovation in the Union should be increased with the aim of approaching 3% of GDP by 2010 with two-thirds of this new investment coming from the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: There is no evidence to support the assertion that Ireland is facing difficult economic times. In fact there are strong indications to the contrary. For example the most recent NCB Purchasing Managers Index shows that new orders hit a 12-month high and new export orders grew for the first time in 3 months. This complements data from the CSO showing increasing industrial employment and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The mode of transport which staff of my Department use in travelling to and from work is a matter of choice for each individual. However, my Department generally supports the use of public transport by staff. In this context, it operates a Travel Pass scheme which was introduced by the Department of Finance in 2001. Under this scheme, an employee can forego part of his or her salary in...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: There are currently a total of twelve Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2010. One of these Directives is overdue and the following is the position with regard to implementation progress: Directive 2006/109/EC adapting Directive 94/45/EC on the establishment of a European Works Council by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania; Transposition deadline: 1 January...