Results 4,561-4,580 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: The table below shows the number of Green Cards refused wholly or partly because, if granted, the employer would have more than 50% of non-EEA employees and the employment sector to which these refusals relate in the six months from February 2007. I would point out that it is open to applicants to appeal decisions regarding employment permits application. Month Refusal Based on 50% non-EEA...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Government established the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) in 1997 to provide advice on Ireland's future skills requirements and make recommendations as to how those needs could be met. The EGFSN is an independent advisory body appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in consultation with the Minister for Education and Science. It reports to both...

Written Answers — Business Regulations: Business Regulations (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: In its report of April this year, the Business Regulation Forum recommended that "an administrative burden reduction programme should be initiated in Ireland without delay." In response to this, earlier this year I set up the High Level Group on Business Regulation under the chairmanship of my Department's Secretary General. The Group comprises representatives of Government Departments and...

Written Answers — Business Regulations: Business Regulations (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: During 2006, PriceWaterhouse Coopers were contracted to carry out a pilot study using the Standard Cost Model (SCM). This pilot project sought to carry out a full measurement of the administrative burdens caused by two specified 'Information Obligations' ie the Annual Return to the Companies Registration Office (CRO); and the requirement on retailers to provide unit-priced labelling on...

Written Answers — National Conference Centre: National Conference Centre (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Acts, the property function is vested in IDA Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has no role in property development. I have made enquiries from IDA and I have been informed that as far as the Agency is aware it did not have any involvement with this project.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The percentage of energy consumed in my Department that comes from renewable sources is nil. The buildings occupied by my Department are managed and maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of the Department. All matters pertaining to the heating and lighting of the Department's buildings and whether renewable energy sources are used, are decided upon by the OPW in...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The National Competitiveness Council's suggestion in relation to coordinated preparation of responses to Competition Authority reviews will be given consideration in the context of the current review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together. FÁS, as the state's Training and Employment Authority, is charged with sole responsibility for the overall management and delivery of the Community Employment Programme nationally. I am advised by FÁS that at end October 2007, there were 22,271 employed under the Community Employment Programme. The 2007 budget for Community Employment...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The proportion of the total FÁS Programme Budget (which excludes administration and overheads) to be spent on Upskilling, Apprenticeship and Community Employment in 2007 is as follows: Measure Proportion Upskilling 5% (People in Employment excluding Apprenticeships) Upskilling 26% (People for Employment) Apprenticeship 15% Community Employment 42%

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The cost of mobile telephone bills paid directly by my Department in 2006 and to date in 2007, together with the percentage for data charges and for roaming charges, is as follows: Year Cost Percentage for Data Charges Percentage for Roaming Charges â'¬ % % 2006 224,054.06 18 11 2007 to date 151,595.40 45* 13 *The significant increase in the percentage for data charges in 2007...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Staff of the Department using their own private mobile phones for official purposes are reimbursed by the Department. The amount involved for 2006 was €1,142.16 and to date in 2007 the amount involved is €742.29. It is not possible to provide a breakdown or percentage of the costs which relate to data charges or to roaming charges.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The cost of my mobile telephone bills paid by the Department, in relation to mobile phones assigned to me, in 2006 and to date in 2007, together with the percentage for data charges and for roaming charges, is as follows: Year Cost Percentage for Data Charges Percentage for Roaming Charges â'¬ % % 2006 3,682.97 not available* not available* 2007 to date 3,002.00 not available* not...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department scheduled an Expenditure Review of Science & Technology Spending in 2004. The Expenditure Review was based on data and findings from three independent evaluations of individual Science and Technology Programmes, in the period 2002 to 2004, commissioned by the Department and managed by Forfás. The Expenditure Review focussed on the principal Research Technological Development...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Value for Money review of Science Foundation Ireland programmes is nearing completion, and I expect it will be finalised in early 2008. The purpose of the review is to examine SFI's major funding programmes and make targeted comments and recommendations, where appropriate, on the overall effectiveness of the agency supports in building a world-class research system in Ireland, with a...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: An official of the Department, who is currently undertaking the IPA Masters in Policy Analysis, has been charged with conducting the Value for Money Review of the FÁS Competency Development Programme. Work has commenced on the Review and a Steering Committee comprising of representatives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Finance, Forfás and FÁS has...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 441 together. I have appointed one Press Officer who advises me on media matter generally. The remainder of the Staff of the Department's Press Office are civil servants and I have no function whatsoever in their appointment or assignment to that office. The details sought by the Deputy are in the table. The principal officer named below includes...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department purchases on a daily basis (Monday to Friday inclusive) copies of the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Financial Times, Star, Sun, Mirror, Daily Mail, Guardian, Evening Herald, Evening Echo and Le Monde for distribution to officials of the Department. My Department also purchases 1/2 copies of the Saturday editions of the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The media consultants employed by my Department are set out on the tabular statement. I have no function whatsoever in their appointment or assignment to particular agencies or projects. This does not include any information from the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement from whom information could not be obtained in the time available. Media Consultants 1997-2007 Year Name of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: At any one time during the period concerned there has been one Press Officer/Advisor in my Department. Four separate individuals have filled the post during that time including the present incumbent. The Press Advisor is paid at the salary scale of Principal Officer which ranged from €46,222.00 — €55,943.39 in 1997 to €82,016 — €101,446 in2007.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has arrangements in place with two credit card companies to issue charge cards to officials who travel on official business on a regular basis. This facility is available to staff as an alternative to using their personal credit cards for official business purposes. The charge cards are generally used to cover costs such as hotel accommodation and train fares. At present, 57...