Results 4,701-4,720 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Technology Leadership Group was established by a group of Silicon Valley business leaders of Irish origin. The Group is led by Palm Inc. (PALM) Senior Vice President John Hartnett and is dedicated to helping Ireland take advantage of the opportunities in new technology. It also includes current and former executives from firms including Sling Media, Intuit Inc. (INTU), Apple...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that the above applicant is a current holder of a work permit. If he wishes to accept a job offer with a new employer, he must submit a new employment permit application. Employment Permits are only valid in respect of the position and employer cited on the permit.

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Appeals Tribunal is an independent body bound to act judicially on the basis of evidence and submissions from both parties to a case. As an independent body, I have no authority to intervene in any case heard by it. The Tribunal is answerable to the Higher Courts by way of Appeal or Judicial Review in its function, decisions and the manner in which it conducts itself. The...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings, or from giving preference to one area over others. A range of strategies, programmes and financial incentives are in place to promote...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am conscious of the need to ensure that employment grants are restricted to additional jobs and am satisfied that the schemes operated by the industrial development agencies under my Department, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development reflect this need. A condition of approval obliges recipient companies to maintain employment at specified levels. Where employment falls...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are clients of the industrial development agencies. Information is aggregated at county level. There were 120 new jobs created in IDA supported companies County Kerry during 2007.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Payment and repayment of grants are day to day operational matters for the Industrial Development agencies. I do not have any role in day to day operational matters of the agencies. However, in this particular case, I understand from IDA Ireland that the company received approximately €3.7 million in grants since 1989. Discussions will take place between the agency and the company in...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Officials in my Department are currently compiling the information sought by the Deputy. However, due to the large amount of work involved it will not be possible to supply the material within the timescale requested. A full response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that the application in respect of the above named was initially refused as her immigration status precluded her from entering full-time employment. The decision was appealed and upheld. However, it is intended that the Employment Permits Section contact the employer in question this week, on the basis of new information received...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: My Department is not aware of any Irish company engaged in the manufacture of cluster munitions or their components. I can also confirm that no such companies are supported by the Agencies under the aegis of my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to campaign for a complete ban on the use of cluster munitions. Pending the establishment...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, FÁS is to transfer its Head Office, including some 383 staff, to Birr, Co Offaly by 2009. FÁS currently has 21 members of staff based in Birr who are working out of leased offices located within the Birr Technology Centre. In the meantime FÁS has recently completed the purchase of a site of approximately 5.59 acres in Birr at a cost of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: No data is kept in my Department on the cost of answering parliamentary questions. Answering parliamentary questions is an activity which is integral to my Department's activities, and the costs are spread across a wide number of divisions and systems; there are also costs arising in the Oireachtas for which my Department would not be accountable. However, it is estimated that the staffing...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (5 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Work Visa/Work Authorisation Scheme was replaced by new Work Permit and Green Card schemes following the enactment of the Employment Permits Act 2006. A key feature of the new system involves the issuing of permits which are employer-specific, with a view to this Department having the ability to track such positions for the purposes of ensuring employee rights are being met and that the...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (6 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Details regarding IDA Ireland supported companies and jobs in County Kerry from January 2002 to December 2007 are outlined in the following table. The number of client companies has declined from 21 in 2002 to 16 in 2007. The total number of closures was 8. This table also outlines the number of jobs lost in the County broken down by year. The recognition under the National Spatial...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (6 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Details regarding IDA Ireland supported companies and jobs in County Cork from January 2002 to December 2007 are outlined in the following table. The number of client companies has declined from 137 in 2002 to 134 in 2007. The total number of closures was 36. This table also outlines the number of jobs lost in the county broken down by year. The recognition under the National Spatial...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (6 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the recent increase in the price of a range of foods in the last number of months. Whilst the December 2007 Consumer Price Index as published by the Central Statistics Office shows that although the annual rate of inflation fell to 4.7% in December down from 5.0% in November, the price of food and non alcoholic beverages increased by 6.3% in the year. Rising food prices are...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (6 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that this application was refused as the immigration status of the applicant precludes him from entering full-time employment. In addition, it would be necessary to show evidence of efforts to recruit an EEA national for the position concerned. An appeal was lodged and the decision was upheld.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (6 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The employment permits section of my Department informs me that no valid application has been received in respect of the above named. However, his immigration status as a student would preclude him from entering full-time employment.

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (7 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, accompanied by myself, led an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to South Africa on what was by far the largest trade mission from Ireland to have ever visited that country. The visit also facilitated the Taoiseach's involvement in a range of aid-related activities elsewhere in the region. The mission had a number of objectives, namely to assist Irish companies...