Results 941-960 of 1,095 for speaker:Jimmy Devins
- Employment Rights. (19 Jun 2008)
Jimmy Devins: This is a matter between the Department of Education and Science and IMPACT and discussions are ongoing. I reiterate that if the Deputy is aware of a specific instance, he should refer it to us and we will pass it on to NERA.
- Seanad: Bullying in the Workplace (19 Jun 2008)
Jimmy Devins: I apologise to the Acting Chairman and the House for the delay. I want, at the outset of my response to Senator Norris, to make it clear to the House that my Department did not make any allegations against the individual involved and never sought to question his good name. These matters have been the subject of a number of parliamentary questions in the Dail and the position of my Department...
- Written Answers — Research and Development Strategy: Research and Development Strategy (8 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Devins: The Lisbon agenda is aimed at making Europe more competitive and innovative on the world stage. As part of that process, the Barcelona European Council concluded that Europe as a whole should aim to reach a target of 3% of GDP on R&D by 2010, with two thirds of that spend to come from industry. The emphasis placed on strengthening research in Europe coincides with the implementation of the...
- Written Answers — Technology and Innovation Strategy: Technology and Innovation Strategy (8 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Devins: The Government has set a goal for Ireland to become a leader in research and development and innovation and has committed a budget of â¬8.2 billion under the NDP 2007-2013 and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006-2113 towards achieving this goal. My Department has responsibility for overseeing and directing the full implementation of the SSTI. It has ensured that...
- National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Devins: Our economy is at a watershed. Today my colleagues in government spoke of difficult and prudent savings decisions taken across a range of areas to correct the current fiscal downturn. The downturn affects not only the Irish economy but a number of major global economies, which in turn impact negatively on the situation here. What we have done is appropriate, prudent and timely and is a...
- National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Devins: To survive and prosper, Irish companies must develop innovative and relevant products and services, which are targeted at the right geographic markets.
- National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Devins: It is in this context that investment in research and development becomes an all-important factor for success. The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013, launched in 2006 and underpinned in the national development plan, has marked a great shift in the investment in research and development in Ireland. While this shows we are moving in the right direction, we must be...
- National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Devins: In 2007 the IDA concluded negotiations for 54 new research and development investments, resulting in a series of significant industrial and academic research collaborations. Enterprise Ireland has set a target of more than doubling the number of indigenous companies engaged in research and development in excess of â¬100,000 per annum and to increase fivefold the number of indigenous...
- National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)
Jimmy Devins: I am sharing time with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Power, and Deputy Edward O'Keeffe.
- Community Employment Schemes. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: FÃS as an agency of my Department operates two employment schemes, community employment and job initiative. Community employment is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. The programme helps unemployed people to...
- Community Employment Schemes. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: I thank the Deputy for his suggestions. It is important to stress again that FÃS, because of the downturn in the construction industry in particular, is actively engaged in meeting people who have been, unfortunately, made redundant and providing them with a personal work programme to assist them in returning to employment. All of the suggestions made must be considered in the context of...
- Community Employment Schemes. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: I must reiterate that all issues are being considered in the context of the forthcoming budget.
- Community Employment Schemes. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: Deputy English should await the announcement of the budget on 14 October in this regard.
- Community Employment Schemes. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: Not at the moment.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: Exactly.
- Business Regulation. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: It is not just quantity, it is quality as well.
- Business Regulation. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: That will keep the Deputies on their toes.
- Consumer Codes of Conduct. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: The Consumer Protection Act 2007, which commenced in May last year, empowers the National Consumer Agency to prepare and publish guidelines to traders regarding issues of consumer welfare and protection and matters related to commercial practices. The Act also empowers the agency to review or approve codes of practice submitted to it by traders or by their trade associations where the agency...
- Consumer Codes of Conduct. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: I shall correct the Deputy. It is actually the fifth time he has put a question on the matter.
- Consumer Codes of Conduct. (24 Sep 2008)
Jimmy Devins: Regarding the codes of practice, the first one was published on 1 September and relates to developers. There are ongoing discussions at present in respect of the retail sector. We expect the code concering the health and fitness sector to be published shortly.