Results 8,281-8,300 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (25 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Details of the locations of the companies, mentioned in my reply to the Deputy on 12 May 2010, are set out on the attached tabular statement as are the numbers employed in IDA supported companies in each of the counties in question. It is not possible to give employee figures in respect of individual companies, as information regarding numbers employed in individual companies is supplied in...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The table appended lists the Offices, agencies, and other bodies and groups currently under the aegis of my Department. The funding allocated to each of these entities by my Department between 2007 and 2010 inclusive is also provided. The allocations include Exchequer funding and, where appropriate, National Training Fund monies. In addition to the core funding provisions set out on the...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (25 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can assure the Deputy that IDA Ireland is in constant contact with Kostal both in Ireland and in Germany. A number of meetings have been held with local Irish management and parent company management recently and further meeting are planned. I am aware of the difficult automotive environment over the past 18 months, from which Kostal is now emerging. The company is well positioned to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under Public Financial Procedures, at the end of each financial year unspent Voted monies must normally be surrendered to the Department of Finance. However, under the Multi-Annual Capital Envelope Framework, up to 10% of unspent Capital allocations in any year may be carried over to the following year. Table 1 below sets out the Exchequer provision for my Department for each of the years...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (25 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 111, inclusive, together. Pfizer's plan to cut its worldwide workforce by 6,000 in 14 sites over the next four years is aimed at integrating the Pfizer and Wyeth manufacturing and supply organizations, which have significant overcapacity following the Pfizer takeover of Wyeth late last year. After the completion of the reorganisation Pfizer will still...

Written Answers — Legal Costs: Legal Costs (25 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The table below sets out the amount spent on legal advice in relation to export credit insurance from 2000 to 2010. This predominantly relates to issues arising from the scheme operated by this Department for several decades but which ceased operation in 1998. Part of the 2010 payment (€2,276.61) relates to work on the assessment of a possible reintroduction of State-supported Export...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (26 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Renewed Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to implement a Code of Practice for doing business in the Grocery Goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the Code and if necessary to put in place a mandatory code". The Government will give effect to this commitment by including a specific...

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (27 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of 15 websites provided by my Department is set out in the table below. Information on websites maintained by Agencies of the Department is a day-to-day matter for the Agencies for which I have no function. Website Address Annual Maintenance Cost 1 www.deti.ie(The Department's website) €5,397 2 www.solvitireland.ie(The website of the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (27 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The relocation of businesses within particular types of industry is a reality of modern global manufacturing for a highly developed economy such as Ireland. There are many factors which influence a firm's decision to relocate. Firms adjust their plant location and utilisation strategies to address matters such as accessing new markets, moving production nearer to customers, meeting firm or...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (27 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Task Force completed its Interim Report which was presented to the Tánaiste by the Task Force chairman Mr Denis Brosnan last July. Since then the Government has been responding to the recommendations under the various headings. Last September, the Tánaiste sent the Task Force a report on responses up to that time. Following completion of a cross-departmental consultation, taking account...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (27 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to report that the outcome of the meeting was extremely positive. The takeover company has committed to investments already planned by the acquired company and this investment programme will be implemented over the next two years. The Government and Enterprise Ireland are anxious to explore the strategic role that the acquired company can play in maximizing business growth...

Written Answers — Trade Opportunities: Trade Opportunities (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department of An Taoiseach is responsible for coordinating the arrangements in relation to all aspects of our participation in Expo 2010 in Shanghai, including all decisions in relation to staffing and marketing. None of the Agencies which come under the aegis of my Department have a permanent operational presence in the pavilion. My Department and the development agencies have engaged...

Written Answers — Employment Levels: Employment Levels (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The figures available to me are in respect of numbers of persons employed in exporting firms assisted by the State Development agencies, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, which come under the aegis of my Department. These figures are set out in the table. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2010 will not be available until...

Written Answers — SME Sector: SME Sector (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The particular issue referred to by the deputy is a matter for the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The issue of improving access for SMES to public contracts is at the centre of the Governments current drive to eliminate barriers to SMEs access to public contracts. An increased involvement of SMEs into public purchasing will allow SMEs to make the most of their...

Written Answers — SME Sector: SME Sector (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together. Overall policy responsibility for public procurement is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. However, specific complaints about individual contracts should be brought to the attention of the relevant Government Department. The Competition Authority is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition law in...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand from Enterprise Ireland that, at present, no active enquiries are known to the agency regarding the factory. The agency will continue to be of assistance to the company concerned in finding a replacement business for the facility. The company concerned and their commercial property agents have advertised the factory for sale.

Written Answers — National Competitiveness: National Competitiveness (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 102 together. Measuring competitiveness is complex and requires an assessment of the full range of factors which enable firms to improve their productivity levels and compete in international markets. There are a number of international indices of competitiveness produced by international bodies, each with their own methodological constraints. The...

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I visited the Mid West of the United States from 5th to 9th of April 2010, on a marketing programme organised by IDA Ireland. The programme involved meeting Chairpersons, CEOs and other senior executives of leading companies, across all sectors and in particular in the Life Sciences and Financial Services sectors. It also involved interviews in the US media, promoting Ireland as a location...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department processes payroll payments for approximately 1,200 individuals on behalf of the Department, its Offices and a number of agencies. Under Section 4 of the Payment of Wages Act, 1991, there is an obligation on my Department to provide a statement of wages and deductions to each individual (i.e. a payslip) as soon as may be after payment has been effected. These payments are made...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (1 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Responsibility for Public Procurement rests with my colleague, the Minister for Finance.