Results 8,061-8,080 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (23 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The number of new jobs announced by HP in Ireland since September 2011 is 280 jobs. This number is made up of 150 R&D positions that are being supported by IDA together with a further 130 technical and support positions. The announcement was made on February 9th 2012. All of the jobs will be full time paid positions.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (23 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: A total of 72 requests were received by my Department under the Freedom of Information Act in 2011. Of that number, three requests attracted 'search and retrieval' fees, in accordance with Section 47 of the FOI Act. It should be noted that under the Freedom of Information Act, decision makers are obliged, except in a few limited circumstances, to charge search and retrieval fees where...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (23 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: I am aware that the Competition Authority, as the statutory independent body responsible for enforcing competition law in the State, has received information relating to alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the concrete industry. Section 29 (3) of the Competition Act 2002 provides that the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Under section 30(1)(b) of that Act, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The cost of lump sums, severance payments and pensions of those leaving the public service through retirement or other grounds; the loss of pension levy and superannuation from employees leaving the public service was provided to the Deputy in the answer to PQ8439 on 14 February last. There has been no change in the information in the intervening period. In 2011, Vote 7 related to...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (23 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The order of preferential payments in the liquidation of a company is set out at section 285 of the Companies Act 1963 as amended. Section 98 of that Act contains relevant provisions as to the position where a receiver is appointed under a floating charge. There are no specific company law payment provisions in an examinership. The examiner process is conducted under the supervision of the...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (23 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: I welcome the proposal put forward by the EU Commission for a new Accounting Directive on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings. Chapter 9 of the proposed Directive relates to reporting of payments to Governments by companies in the extractive/logging industries. As I have already publicly indicated, I support...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (23 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The following table gives the number of civil servants, their grade and location within my Department, who have availed of the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme and to whom the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 apply. Considerable readjustments have already taken place within my Department in terms of staff taking on additional duties...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 327 together. The Directive in question provides that Member States may provide for exemption from certain obligations for companies meeting stipulated thresholds. My Department will be consulting with interested parties to assist with formulating a recommendation to me in this matter.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The accompanying table provides details of the mileage and car-related expenses paid to me by my Department in respect of the use of my private car during the period 1 June to 31 December 2011. As requested by the Deputy, this figure includes payments made to me in 2012 related to a 2011 claim. Date: Purpose of expenditure: Amount: 1 June to 31 December 2011 Mileage expenses in respect...

Written Answers — Departmental Meetings: Departmental Meetings (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: Since my appointment as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I have had one meeting with a representative of the company. This meeting took place on 15 August 2011. No other meetings have taken place.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: As the Minister for Finance announced in the Budget, a single Stamp Duty rate of 2 per cent will apply to non-residential property transactions executed on or after Budget night 6 December 2011. The Minister also announced a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) incentive for property purchased between 7 December 2011 and end 2013. Where such property is held for seven years, the gain attributable to...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The management of IDA Ireland's property portfolio is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. I am informed by IDA that it holds approximately .55 hectares of land in Annascaul. This land is rented on a yearly basis and an invitation to tender to rent this land is released every year to the public. An invitation to tender for the renting of this...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: In accordance with the Government Decision of the 15th March 2011 I use my private car instead of a State car for official business. Under this arrangement I may claim mileage expenses in accordance with rates and regulations set down by the Department of Finance. Similarly, the two Junior Ministers attached to my Department are also covered by the same arrangement emanating from a previous...

Written Answers — Retail Sector Developments: Retail Sector Developments (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: I am aware of this potential business proposition, as is IDA Ireland although the agency is not directly involved with it. Any funding arrangements and potential future funding is a matter for the promoters i.e. the Chinese/Irish consortium. IDA Ireland has confirmed to me that it has had regular meetings with the Irish promoters but has not received any grant application or proposals to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The amount paid in 2011 in respect of the expenses incurred in providing hospitality to facilitate official business were €215.30 in respect of ministers from our respective dates of appointment and €3,122.91 by officials of my Department for the full calendar year.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: One of the targets set out in IDA Ireland's Strategy document "Horizon 2020" is the creation of 62,000 direct jobs in 640 investment projects in the period to 2014,which will result in 105,000 new jobs overall in the economy, with 50% of investments being located in areas outside of Dublin and Cork. The Strategy also highlights that IDA Ireland will work with existing client companies...

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court are statutory bodies independent in the performance of their duties. The question deals with matters relating to the day-to-day functioning of the bodies and is one, therefore, in which I have no direct responsibility.

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy will be aware, under the recently launched the Action Plan for Jobs, I propose to establish a new "one-stop-shop" small and micro-enterprise support structure. These "One Stop Shops" will be called "Local Enterprise Offices" and will build on the significant work done by the CEBs to date. The new structure will be achieved through the dissolution of the existing CEBs and the...

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The role of Dublin City Enterprise Board as one of the Network of CEBs, across the country is to develop indigenous potential and stimulate economic activity at a local level primarily through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small and micro-enterprises. The promoter may therefore in the first instance wish to contact their local Board; Dublin City...

Written Answers — Prompt Payment System: Prompt Payment System (28 Feb 2012)

Richard Bruton: The Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 requires Government Departments to report each year on details of their accounting practices. The Government is nevertheless very much aware of the cash flow difficulties currently being experienced by SMEs. In this regard, since 2009, Central Government Departments have been improving their respective payment times and are obliged to pay their...