Results 7,621-7,640 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: As this is a day to day matter for the respective agencies, I have referred the question to them for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the enforcement of competition law in Ireland. Breach of competition law is a white collar crime and, as with all other forms for crime, those who commit it must be punished accordingly. The legislation will provide a more effective deterrent and an improved sanctions regime for those who engage in price-fixing, cartels, abuse of dominant position...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: No State bodies or companies have been created or abolished by my Department since March 2011. My Department currently has 13 State Agencies supporting us in our work. These are: 1. Enterprise Ireland 2. IDA Ireland 3. Science Foundation Ireland 4. Shannon Development 5. County & City Enterprise Boards (35) 6. National Standards Authority of Ireland 7. InterTradeIreland (the North / South...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits and all applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006. I wish to advise the Deputy that this Work Permit application was refused on the 18th October 2011 on the grounds that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of: · highly...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The decision the Deputy is referring to is the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)Case C-34/10, also known as the Brüstle case. This highly technical case centred on the Court's interpretation of EU Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. This decision results from a referral to the German Court, in relation to a German patent granted to Oliver...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The initiatives taken by the Minister for Finance to restructure and re-capitalise the banking system is the principal response to making credit available. At the end of March 2011, a range of measures was announced to reorganise, recapitalise and deleverage the domestic financial system in order to restore the banks to health and continue to provide a secure banking system for deposits. ...

Written Answers — Credit Guarantee Scheme: Credit Guarantee Scheme (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The design phase of a Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme is nearing completion and I will be bringing formal proposals to Cabinet shortly. Once a suitable scheme design has been finalised and approved by the Government, there will then be a further Request for Tender published at the end of November to select an operator to allow for the roll out of the scheme over the coming months....

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (8 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together. It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information sought by the Deputy. My Department has, however, begun the process of collating the information requested and I will communicate with the Deputy as soon as the exercise has been completed.

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (9 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The design phase of a Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme is nearing completion and I will be bringing formal proposals to Cabinet shortly. Once a suitable scheme design has been finalised and approved by the Government, there will then be a further Request for Tender published at the end of November to select an operator to allow for the roll out of the scheme over the coming months....

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (10 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: Since being appointed Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in March last, to date I have undertaken a total of 5 Missions abroad. These have been either Trade Missions, leading client companies of Enterprise Ireland in support of their export drive in foreign markets, or Investment Missions, in support of IDA Ireland's work in attracting Foreign Direct Investment to this country. In...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (10 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: On 19 October last, Aviva announced its proposal to combine Aviva Ireland with Aviva UK to form a new UK and Ireland Region. In addition, Aviva announced its intention to restructure its European regional operations to strengthen the business and create a leaner cost base. According to Aviva, both these proposed initiatives could result in a total reduction of up to 950 posts in Ireland over...

Written Answers — Registry of Friendly Societies: Registry of Friendly Societies (10 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: I am aware a number of Industrial and Provident societies have failed to file an annual return to the Registry of Friendly Societies for the year 2010. The initiation of enforcement action for failing to file an annual return is a matter for the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and I am aware that the Registrar is now considering such action in respect of Industrial and Provident societies,...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (10 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The table gives details of NERA inspections and their outcomes for the Construction and Electrical REA's for 2010 and 2011 to date. It should be noted that the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) records details in respect of employers inspected in various sectors, including construction and electrical but it does not record details in respect of individual employers who may, as part...

Written Answers — Small and Medium Enterprises: Small and Medium Enterprises (15 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The Government is fully committed to addressing the issues of particular concern to SMEs. Already some important issues have been tackled under the Jobs Initiative. These include initiatives such as: The design of a Temporary, Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme. A targeted Scheme will be in place over the coming months and will operate for one year; An initiative on a Microfinance Fund;...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (15 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The CEBs unique role positions them as a first point of contact for persons wishing to set up in business. The role of Dublin City Enterprise Board, as one...

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (15 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: Under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, my Department, its Offices and the Agencies that come within my Department's remit were required to prepare Implementation Plans, and two subsequent Progress Reports, for consideration by the National Implementation Body, which is responsible for overseeing, driving and verifying progress on the implementation of the Public Service Agreement. My...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (15 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: The National Minimum Wage Act, 2000, which became law on 1st April, 2000, applies to all employees, except close relatives of the employer and certain apprentices. The national minimum hourly rate for an experienced adult worker was increased to €8.65 per hour with effect from 1 July 2011. Sub-minimum rates of between 70% and 90% of the National Minimum Wage apply where an employee is: · ...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (15 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: Both the merger of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency and proposals arising from a review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002 will have an impact on the Competition Authority in terms of its functions and powers. In July 2011 Government approved the drafting of the Consumer and Competition Bill which I expect to see published during the...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (15 Nov 2011)

Richard Bruton: I set out hereunder the numbers of applications for employment permits in respect of Bulgarian and Romanian nationals in each of the past ten years and to-date in 2011. Applications received in respect of Bulgarian and Romanian nationals 2001 - 2011 Year Nationality New Renewal Total Issued Total Refused 2011 Bulgaria 24 3 27 6 Romania 275 8 283 103 2010 Bulgaria 74 1 75 8...