Results 8,381-8,400 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but rather provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing micro-enterprises may qualify for financial support from the CEBs in the form of Priming,...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I intend, subject to consistency with EU competition law, to give effect to the Government commitment in "Towards 2016" regarding the exemption of certain specified categories of vulnerable workers from competition law in the Bill being prepared to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. Work on the draft heads of this Bill is now at an advanced stage and I intend...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government remains committed to undertaking the review in question. However, work on a number of recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes concerning the enterprise development agencies is at an advanced stage and it clearly makes sense to complete this work before asking an independent group to commence the review. It will be important in...

Written Answers — Corporate Governance: Corporate Governance (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The consultation paper recently published by the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator relates specifically to financial institutions and insurance undertakings. Responsibility for these sectors is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. For my part, I welcome the publication of the consultation paper. I understand this initiative is part of a wider strategy to update the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are currently a total of 14 EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. One Directive is currently overdue - Directive 2006/123/EC on services in the internal market. This Directive is due to be transposed by the end of June 2010. Full details on the state of play of all current EU Directives due for transposition are maintained on my Department's website,...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Ireland's competitiveness is benchmarked against a number of competitor countries, not just adjoining or EU jurisdictions, by the NCC on an annual basis. Since January 2008, Ireland has regained competitiveness as domestic inflation remains below that of our main trading partners and the euro weakened. We are seeing lower business costs, which is easing pressures on the business sector....

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Ireland's competitiveness, including cost competitiveness, is benchmarked against a number of competitor countries by the NCC on an annual basis. Since January 2008, Ireland has regained competitiveness as domestic inflation remains below that of our main trading partners and the euro weakened. We are seeing lower business costs, which is easing pressures on the business sector. Wage...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The situation regarding vacant posts and contracts expiring in 2010, 2011 and 2012 is being monitored and negotiations are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to staffing levels in the context of agreeing an Employment Control Framework for my Department and its agencies to cover the period up to the end 2012. A breakdown of the locations of the 53 fixed...

Written Answers — Loan Guarantees: Loan Guarantees (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: As previously advised to this House, work is underway in my Department on the examination of a possible scheme of Loan Guarantees for the SME sector which could augment lending by banks by addressing particular market failures. This is in line with one of the recommendations contained in the Mazars Review on Bank Lending to SMEs. Enterprise Ireland and Forfás carried out examinations of loan...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The specific issue raised concerning the training of workers and apprentices now falls within the remit of my colleague, An Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms Mary Coughlan, TD, who also now has responsibility for FAS. In regard to job creation at Dublin airport and related services, last September, the establishment of Dublin Aerospace Ltd, a new aviation maintenance...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have recently met with Mr Denis Brosnan, Chairman of the Mid-West Task Force. A copy of the updated response was forwarded to the Dail on 21 June for circulation to Deputies.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are no Government run canteens, cafes or restaurants operating in my Department or in the Offices of my Department. There are two very small canteens in two buildings occupied by my Department and the Offices of my Department which are commercially run. The commercial operator of those two small canteens has indicated that all foods are sourced locally. I am not in a position to...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Asia Strategy was drafted by officials of my Department in consultation with relevant Agencies, Departments and key stakeholders. Oversight of that Strategy was undertaken by a High Level Group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and comprising senior Public and Private Sector representatives. The Asia Strategy covered the period 1999 - 2009. A new Strategy for Trade,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I interpret the Deputy's question as relating to credit cards held by my Department where any costs incurred on the cards are paid directly by the Department. My Department does not operate credit cards of this nature. However, my Department recognises that certain staff may incur substantial up-front costs in the course of their official business. In this context, my Department can...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The awarding of bonuses to staff in semi-State or similar bodies coming under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those bodies and I have no function in the matter. The CEOs of a number of agencies under the aegis of my Department are eligible to participate in a Performance Related Award Scheme approved by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, with the consent...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The following tables provide details of the amounts paid in expenses by my Department to each advisor in the last three years in the course of the performance of his or her official duties. Travel and subsistence expenses shown on the table include expenses incurred on official business at home and abroad, with the exclusion of air fares. The cost of air fares in respect of each individual...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data is compiled on an annualised basis and is aggregated at county level. It is therefore not possible to provide information for individual locations throughout the county. Data for 2010 will be available in early 2011. Details of the number of new...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: While the former Taro building in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary is in private ownership, the State development agencies remain available to assist in marketing the site and plant to any prospective buyers. It should be noted that Shannon Development's efforts in Roscrea are concentrated on marketing the Roscrea Business & Technology Park and that whatever about the outcome on the Taro building,...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 provide that a private limited company is required to file an annual return once in each calendar year. An annual return consists of the relevant form and a set of accounts whether audited or unaudited. Each company has nine months and 28 days from its accounts year-end date to complete and file its annual return. The fee for filing an annual return on time...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that my own Office and the Offices of the Ministers of State at my Department endeavour to respond to all representations made to us as expeditiously as possible notwithstanding the volumes received. My Department commits the same effort to processing representations as speedily as possible from Oireachtas Members where the representation is made directly to officials....