Results 7,881-7,900 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 15, 31 and 45 together. The number of cases that have arisen in recent times of companies becoming insolvent and not engaging in timely and adequate dialogue with their employees is regrettable. I fully understand the pressures companies are under, but this should not be an excuse for treating employees shabbily. There are various legislative...

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: The various agencies and supports that have been outlined have been active in some of these disputes, and in some cases there have been successful resolutions, as the Deputy probably knows. There is active discussion ongoing in some cases, with SIPTU involved with the Labour Relations Commission and a proposal being put. In another of the cases, following discussions between Mandate and...

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I do not know of the case. From the Deputy's statement, it sounds like the case has gone through the agencies for which I am responsible. At this point it is an issue in respect of honouring a recommendation. I will seek information on behalf of the Deputy but it is not available to me at the moment.

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I would be advised by the Labour Relations Commission, which is the body with experience in this sphere. It is a very hands-on agency and it is not a question of allocating a particular section to work on this. It is every man to the pumps in these cases and from the chief executive down its best effort is put into finding a solution. Sometimes it is not possible to bring about a solution...

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: The point must be made that the State is standing by workers in these situations. For example, where cases have been pursued under the Redundancy Acts, it is the State that pays workers and ensures they get their rights. The State would then have to pursue the employer, as is required under the law, to recover the money from the employer in those cases. It is not the case that the State is...

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: We seek to ensure it is not the taxpayer that is always left having to deal with these situations. The State uses the machinery to protect both itself and workers in these cases. I understand that in the case of Jane Norman, the administration that occurred there has recognised insolvency status under Irish legislation. The money due to the workers will-----

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: -----fall to be paid from the insolvency payments scheme. The State will honour the position of those workers. A number of cases are still to be heard by the rights commissioner service in respect of employees from the company. The truth is that the State seeks to support both sides in resolving disputes. Where they fail and there is genuine insolvency, the State obviously honours the...

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: Some of those issues are way beyond my responsibilities. My understanding in the case Deputy Boyd Barrett raised is that a UK administration was appointed. The workers were not given their proper right of notice in that case. It does appear to be an insolvency and under law the power of the Minister in such a case is-----

Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I will investigate whether that is the case and if that is undermining the position. My understanding is that the insolvency fund will be called into action to honour commitments to employees. I will take note of what the Deputy said. He said that the company that went into administration is still trading. I will investigate that. Deputy Buttimer asked what the next move is in respect of...

Job Creation (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 18 together. In 2011, IDA client companies created more than 13,000 new jobs, up 20% on the previous year's level of 10,897, increasing the total number of those employed directly in companies supported by the agency to almost 146,000, representing a net increase of more than 6,000. The IDA has informed me that there are 12 IDA Ireland-supported client...

Job Creation (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I accept the Deputy's comments. For the reasons he has outlined, I have directed the IDA to give a particular priority to the region. It has suffered badly, and not only during the recession. During the good years, the growth in its industrial base did not match the growth in other parts of the country. I have also directed Enterprise Ireland to contact its portfolio of companies...

Job Creation (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: This is active intervention. I have already directed the IDA to ensure that 50% of projects should be outside Dublin and Cork. Within that directive, we are placing a spotlight on the south east. While that also includes Waterford, one must consider a region's strengths and its hub and gateway locations and try to build on what exists. The IDA does not have the power to move jobs around...

Job Creation (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: Immediate success can be had by IDA Ireland in respect of smaller companies. However, in the case of substantial job announcements, where the company in question is seeking a very deep labour pool, there is, of necessity, a certain restriction in terms of the regions that can offer a good fit. More recently IDA Ireland's focus has been less on the blue chip companies and more on emerging...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) monitors business cost and competitiveness issues facing the Irish economy and offers recommendations on policy actions required to enhance Ireland's position in these areas. The NCC does not rank the top 5 barriers, it uses 127 indicators to benchmark competitiveness across a wide range of issues, including: o Macroeconomic stability o Business...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 28 together. As Minister for Jobs, enterprise and Innovation, I am acutely aware of the number of jobs lost in recent years in every region of the country and I fully appreciate the impact of these job losses, not just on the employees concerned and their families, but also on the wider community. Therefore, job creation is at the top of the...

Written Answers — Credit Guarantee Scheme: Credit Guarantee Scheme (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy is referring to the targeted Temporary, Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme which is currently being progressed as a matter of priority by my Department. An Invitation to Tender was published on Monday 5th December to select on Operator who will be contracted by my Department to act as its agent for the practical oversight, management and operation of the Scheme. The tendering process...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 27 together. The Pharmaceutical and ICT sectors make a very significant contribution to the Irish economy in terms of export earnings and employment. The Medical, Pharmaceutical and Chemical sectors accounted for €46 billion, or 51%, of total Merchandise exports in 2010. Computer components and electronics accounted for €8 billion of Merchandise...

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: The role of Government is to create the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish and quality employment opportunities can be grown and maintained, and all of the actions that we have taken since coming into office have focused on creating these conditions across all regions. The sustainability of our regions will be significantly shaped by interaction with...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 26 together. Inspectors of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), following complaints, called to all of the Jane Norman stores and concessions operating within the State in an effort to establish the position on the ground. The NERA Information service gave information to the employees on their entitlements and on the practical business of...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (25 Jan 2012)

Richard Bruton: Responsibility for the operation of the statutory Redundancy Payments Scheme falls within the remit of the Minister for Social Protection and the legislation governing that scheme does not fall within my Department's purview. I understand that in accordance with the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 – 2007 employees who have two years continuous service with an employer, are aged 16 years or...