Results 481-500 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Severance Payments: Severance Payments (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: ICI and the State, the shareholders in IFI, while there was no legal obligation to do so, established a special fund with almost €24.5 million to provide ex gratia severance payments to the former employees of IFI. All applications from employees to the ex gratia fund of €24.5 million have now been processed. Payments from the fund were made were in accordance with the basis for...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: In 1996, a project undertaken by an organisation was approved for grant assistance of up to €104,000 by my Department under the EU-funded small business operational programme. In accordance with the normal procedures for the relevant measure, an initial grant of 50% of the total approved was made at that time, while a further grant of 30% was issued in September 1997 following the...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: The Irish paper, print and packaging sector comprises approximately 600 companies. It employs in the region of 18,000 people and has estimated sales of €1.6 billion per annum. However, overcapacity in the sector has resulted in rationalisation and consolidation. A number of companies have downsized and closed and further rationalisation is expected. Outsourcing is likely to continue to be...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: There is no record in my Department of a valid work permit application in this case. Work permit applications which are incorrect or incomplete are not regarded as valid applications and are returned to the employer for completion.

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: While I understand that a claim on the liquidation has been made by the trustees of the pension scheme covering the former IFI employees in Belfast, I also understand that the liquidator, in consultation with his legal and actuarial advisers, is still considering whether, and to what extent, this claim is admissible. Until the status of this claim is established, it is not possible to assess...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: A work permit was issued to the employer on the 23 June 2004.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: A work permit application was received in this case on 21 September 2004. Work permit applications are taking six weeks to process, assuming they are complete and in order.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. The circa 1.4 hectare site in question, at Castledermot, County Kildare, is under the ownership of IDA Ireland. This site was approved for disposal by IDA Ireland to Kildare County Council in April 2003. The disposal of this site is part of a transaction that...

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: We are all e-Ministers.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: In response to the first part of the Deputy's question, the following statistical tables provide the main sectoral breakdown of science and technology expenditure. The table is compiled from Forfás statistical data produced in the context of the Forfás publication entitled State Expenditure on Science and Technology, otherwise known as the science budget. A range of more detailed...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 to 379, inclusive, together. In regard to the infrastructure issues referred to by the Deputy, I have raised these with my colleagues, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Minister for Transport. I am advised that the national roads serving the north west have benefited from the major increase in investment in the national...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: My Department received a total of 59 applications for ESF funding under the EQUAL community initiative, by the closing date of 17 September 2004. The EQUAL selection committee will meet on 17 November 2004 for a preliminary review of the selection process. The selection committee will meet again on 1 December 2004 to approve approximately 20 development partnerships for ESF funding under the...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: The following tables show the following data: the number of IDA Ireland supported companies in each county from 1994 to 2003, inclusive; the number of employees in IDA Ireland supported companies in each county from 1994 to 2003, inclusive; and the amount of grant aid awarded to IDA Ireland supported companies in each county from 1994 to 2003, inclusive. IDA Ireland does not provide a...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: A work permit application was received in respect of the individual concerned on 27 September 2004. A decision will be made in this case shortly and the employer will be notified.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: As part of the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, CE, future participation in CE by an individual was capped at three years, effective from April 2000. The three-year cap was amended in August 2001 to allow FÁS greater flexibility with regard to the retention of particularly disadvantaged persons on the programme. The terms and conditions of participation on...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: Support for job creation and retention in individual counties is a day-to-day operational matter for the industrial development agencies. The agencies are actively promoting counties Sligo and Leitrim for new investment and jobs on an ongoing basis, with IDA Ireland actively marketing the county as a location for additional foreign direct investment through its network of overseas offices and...

Written Answers — Social Partnership Policy: Social Partnership Policy (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: Account is taken in relevant policy areas within the ambit of the Department of the views of all of the social partners, including CORI.

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (2 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: The significant oil price increases that have occurred since the beginning of this year have been caused by a combination of strong demand, tight capacities, political uncertainty and some market speculation. The International Energy Association has warned that sustained high oil prices will adversely affect the economic performance of eurozone countries. Ireland has no control over world oil...

Written Answers — Community Employment: Community Employment (2 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together. At present 1,815 community employment child care places are ring-fenced for clients on community employment directly involved in the delivery of child care services. These places have been ring-fenced for the past three years. Further numbers are involved in support and provision of other services for projects with child care facilities,...

Written Answers — Community Employment: Community Employment (2 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317, 318, 320 and 323 together. The community employment, CE, and jobs initiative, JI, programmes provide work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups with the aim of progressing participants to a job in the open labour market. Participants move from these programmes after an agreed period of support...