Results 1,001-1,020 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together. The National Competitiveness Council in its annual competitiveness report 2004 mentioned the issue of insurance costs in Ireland. The NCC's commentary was based on data published by Swiss Re sigma. This information, based on 2003 figures, depicts insurance premiums per capita for non-life insurance for 16 countries and includes both motor...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The following tabular statement sets out the number of new jobs created in IDA supported companies in each of the years 1998 to 2004. Total employment in the IDA portfolio is now just short of 129,000. There was a slight increase in employment in 2004 reversing the downward trend of the previous three years. Significantly, employment in 2004 is over 9% higher than at the end of 1998. It is...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's economy is undergoing fundamental change, which is affecting all sectors of our economy. Ireland can no longer be seen as a low cost location for investment as our strengths and competitive advantages have inexorably changed. High output and productivity together with high returns to labour in the form of wages, salaries and better living standards now typify Ireland's economy....

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permit section of my Department has indicated that the permits in question have been refused. The employer was informed in writing of the decision and of his right to appeal the decision. An appeal has been received and is currently under consideration. It is anticipated that a decision from the work permits section will be posted to the employer within seven days.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland, including its regions and areas. I understand the Deputy's question relates to an advance factory. I have been informed by IDA Ireland that it does not have an advance factory at the location indicated by the Deputy. However, IDA did construct a building at Woodstock...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (21 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have received a number of complaints in recent times on practices which involve the public in the use of premium rate telephone calls to claim so-called "awards" and where the only commercial transaction appears to be the inducement by the promoter to the consumer to use the telephone and in this way the promoter gains financial benefit. The consumer appears to receive nothing in return. I...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (21 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: In 2004 the work permit section of my Department received 34,692 valid applications from employers seeking work permits in respect of non-EEA nationals. A total of 34,067 applications were granted and 1,486 were refused. There was a carryover of 1,116 applications into 2005. From 1 January to 31 March the section processed 6,253 valid applications, of which 5,866 were granted and 387 were...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (21 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I note the concerns raised by the Deputy. I do not, however, have any detailed information in regard to drink prices in Bray and Greystones. In the matter of prices, including drink prices, the Government believes that the best policy is to promote greater competition and consumer awareness and to ensure that customers are in a position to make informed choices before deciding whether to...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (21 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: County and city enterprise boards, CEBs, play an extremely important role in developing the small business sector in Ireland and, to support them in delivering their programmes, nearly €30 million in Exchequer funds has been allocated to fund them in 2005. The CEBs have been co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the current National Development Plan 2000-2006. I am aware...

Written Answers — Parental Leave Provisions: Parental Leave Provisions (21 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The arrangements for maternity leave within the public bodies under the aegis of my Department are as laid down in the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 (Extension of periods of leave) Order, 2001, and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004. All employees in the State are entitled to 18 weeks' paid maternity leave and up to eight weeks' unpaid maternity...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permit section of my Department issued a work permit in respect of the above named individual for the period 16 April 2003 to 15 April 2004. No further applications for a work permit have been received. In circumstances where the employment relationship has recently broken down or where the employee has recently been made redundant, the work permit section will look favourably on an...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (26 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the announcement made by the company in question to close its call centre in Castlebar. The parent company has decided to consolidate its business into one Irish location. It is no longer practical for the company to operate out of two centres in Ireland. All business will be consolidated into the company's operation in Shannon and staff are being offered the option, including a...

Written Answers — Shannon Development: Shannon Development (26 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Several recent developments will impact on the future role of Shannon Development, the most significant of which are: the proposed relocation of the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon as part of the decentralisation programme; the enterprise strategy group recommendation that Shannon Development should disengage from industrial development functions; and the establishment of an...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (26 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Over €30 million has been made available to fund the county and city enterprise boards in 2005 of which €17.714 million will be available for capital expenditure on direct grant aid and soft support measures to micro-enterprises across all 35 boards. All boards were invited to submit their 2005 budget demands to my Department and following receipt and examination of those submissions 2005...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (26 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland has arranged two site visits from potential overseas investors, one in February 2003 and the other in May 2005. Neither of these site visits resulted in a tenant for the building. A profile of the facility has been circulated to IDA Ireland's overseas offices informing them of its competitive rental rate in comparison to locations like Dublin. Enterprise Ireland has reported that...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Having heard an appeal in this case, the work permits section of my Department issued two work permits to the above named employer.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Currently this employer holds one work permit issued by my Department. This permit is valid for one year from 7 March 2005.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Currently the employer about whom the Deputy asks is not the holder of any work permits.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department has no record of any valid application received containing the details supplied by the Deputy. Applications which are incomplete or incorrect are returned to the employer for completion.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department has no record of any valid application received containing the details supplied by the Deputy. Applications which are incomplete or incorrect are returned to the employer for completion.