Results 5,941-5,960 of 14,731 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (20 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options that are available in respect of a person (details supplied) for a Student Universal Support Ireland grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44698/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 96. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on competitiveness in the economy in the view of recent inflation data which indicates that the cost of Government controlled services and utilities is rising much faster than the general prices; the actions he is taking to improve competitiveness in the economy generally, including implementing recommendations from the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: The National Competitiveness Council published its annual report in April and the then chief executive for Forfás, now the chief executive of IDA Ireland, Mr. Martin Shanahan, said that we must relentlessly pursue further improvements in our cost competitiveness and that we cannot afford any slippage. What has the Minister done about that report since April? What action has he taken on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: Question No. 96 mentions the National Competitiveness Council's recommendations. I presume we are on the same question. That report showed last April that diesel prices in Ireland are 7% more expensive than in the euro area, Ireland's electricity costs are the fifth most expensive in the euro area, and landfill gate fees are the fifth most expensive of the ten countries surveyed. It is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: The National Competitiveness Council’s report was very straight on our costs. That was six months ago. Is the National Competitiveness Council as useful as the Fiscal Advisory Council? Is it just an expensive bauble taken out for the visitors and put back in the press when they leave? It made very clear recommendations in very direct language about our cost competitiveness. Has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: What about the Government’s National Competitiveness Council?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 99. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the formulation of policy in relation to enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation matters since the dissolution of Forfás and the subsuming of its role in to the strategic policy division in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44527/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: The Industrial Development (Forfás Dissolution) Act was brought into force earlier in the year. During the debate on the legislation, I emphasised the need to ensure that an independent policy function which remain in place within the Department and that this would challenge it on a range of issues. I am afraid I have not seen a great deal of evidence of much independent thought on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: The Forfás website, which is full of interesting reports, directs one to the Department's website. The news releases from August on the Department's website refer to the expansion of Storyful, Danone concluding an expansion programme, the Taoiseach launching a centre, the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, urging new impetus, MDS opening international offices, and Minister of State Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: I welcome the fact that the personnel are challenging policy within the Department because it is a Department that needs to be challenged consistently, especially internally. However, we are not seeing that. Will we see a National Competitiveness Council report for 2015 in the same way we saw one for 2014, despite the fact that it is being ignored? Will we see the kinds of reports it...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 106. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the work of the retail consultation forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44352/14]

Other Questions: Retail Sector (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: I wish to assess from the Minister of State, Deputy Nash where the Retail Consultation Forum is at. I acknowledge the work his predecessor, the former Minister of State, Deputy Perry, did in this area. The retail sector is a forgotten part of Irish business and Irish small and medium enterprises. I do not think there is any sense within Government of the crisis facing the retail sector not...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: I am glad the Minister of State is anxiously awaiting that report and I hope he will be as anxious to act on it. In fairness to the Minister of State, he contributed a good deal to it. Every sector of the economy may benefit from the miserly increases given but by the time water charges are paid for there will not be much left. On the retail sector, how much additional funding was provided...

Other Questions: Retail Sector (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: I welcome the doubling of the funding. It is important the message in that regard gets out. Perhaps the LEOs can step up to the mark in this regard. The Minister of State referred earlier to confidence. Many retailers need confidence to enable them trade online. They do not understand the process. Where are we at on the legacy debt issue, which is a major issue, in particular for...

Leaders' Questions (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: There are 9,000 on the waiting list for Galway, the Taoiseach’s regional hospital.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 115. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of negotiations on the transatlantic trade and investment partnership; the way Ireland’s interests will be protected in the talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44349/14]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Construction Contracts (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 116. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the necessary appointments will be made to the panel of adjudicators to facilitate the operation of the Construction Contracts Act 2013; his views on the impact the legislation will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44348/14]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Innovation Vouchers Initiative (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 128. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the operation of the Enterprise Ireland innovation voucher initiative; his plans to expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44351/14]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 131. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the commitment in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 to conduct a study on the prevalence of zero hour contracts among Irish employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44350/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Maternity Benefit (25 Nov 2014)

Dara Calleary: 168. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to outline the supports available to parents of children born via surrogacy; and her plans to review these supports in view of the recent Supreme Court decision. [45054/14]