Results 981-1,000 of 1,095 for speaker:Jimmy Devins

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Ministers and Deputies on this side of the House are very aware of the situation because we meet it every day in our clinics. We are attacking the problem with all our strength. It is a two-pronged attack. We are engaging with the people who have been made redundant and are upskilling and retraining them. We are also looking at foreign direct investment and development of our indigenous...

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Several points have been raised with which I will try to deal in the limited time available. Deputy Penrose made a good suggestion that Enterprise Ireland and the county and city enterprise boards should not be arbitrarily confined to ten jobs. This is a matter on which the Department is working actively.

Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: While the point is being made to all Members on the ground, this issue is being worked on actively. The Leader programmes constitute a source of a huge amount of money. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, recently announced a substantial increase in the funding for the Leader programmes over the next number of years. As for the schools building...

Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: She just answered.

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Inferences were made.

Seanad: Stem-Cell Research (Protection of Human Embryos) Bill 2008: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I welcome the opportunity to respond, on behalf of the Government, to this Private Members' Bill sponsored by Senator Mullen. Stem cell research represents one of the most important and challenging areas of investigation that scientists and clinicians will undertake in the 21st century. Much of the work with stem cells raises no ethical issues or concerns. For example, bone marrow...

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (2 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate and acknowledge the cross-party support given to the Bill. All Deputies would agree that the Ombudsman has made an important contribution over the past 25 years in terms of promoting high standards of public administration. This Bill will enhance that contribution. It comprises a progressive series of measures which complement the...

Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee (2 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Redundant Apprentices. (2 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The House will be well aware that the construction sector has continued to experience a reduction in the level of activity in 2008 compared to previous years. In the recent past, there has been a consequential reduction in the level of employment in the sector. The level of recruitment of apprentices by employers is also at a lower level — some 44% lower than in 2007 — and there has been...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Who said such an address would be given?

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme. (4 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The Minister has given the information on this.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (4 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation constitutes one of the principal pillars of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, and is underpinned by a projected total investment of €8.2 billion. It is an integrated whole of Government approach to the realisation of an agreed vision that, by 2013, Ireland will be internationally renowned for the excellence of its research and at...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (4 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 to 52, inclusive, together. The table sets out details of expenditure by SFI programme at the 31st October 2008. Arising from the recent Budget process SFI has been allocated €179.3 million for 2009 in respect of capital expenditure for research grants to third level institutions and related activity. This represents an increase of 4% on the Revised...

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: I am very much aware of the difficulties facing small firms as a result of the current economic difficulties and in particular the importance of continuing access to bank credit facilities for sound projects. The Tánaiste met the SFA and ISME on 19 November 2008, to discuss their concerns on a range of issues which have impacted on small business as a result of the credit crunch. These...

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: Yes, I am dealing with Deputy Penrose's Question No. 67.

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: The significant allocations in the Department's Estimates for 2009 will ensure that it continues to build on this strategy for the future. Enterprise Ireland is responsible for supporting the development of Irish companies with ambitions to grow in world markets. Many of its client companies are small to medium in size. Enterprise Ireland recognises the varied challenges facing such...

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: We are aware of the importance of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector to job creation, etc. The Tánaiste and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have met with the banks in the past two weeks and will be meeting with them over the next week or so. Over the past week, three banks have announced funding programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Deputy is...

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: We will take on board the Deputy's suggestion but we are also examining other ways of drawing down money.

Economic Competitiveness (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: While the United Kingdom VAT reduction will have some effect on price differentials between UK and Irish goods, the reduction in the value of sterling will have a greater impact on the price of goods in the North than the VAT differential. Moreover, as the British Government is increasing excise duties on alcohol, cigarettes, petrol and diesel to offset the 2.5% VAT reduction on these items,...

Economic Competitiveness (10 Dec 2008)

Jimmy Devins: There is a 5% differential in costs between the Republic and the North according to the preliminary results of the study to which I referred. I agree with Deputy McHugh's initial statement that there is a particular perception, even though the changes in certain sections of the VAT regime do not apply to everything. As I observed in my reply, more than 50% of the goods and services traded...