Results 11,521-11,540 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Deputy O'Sullivan was not there when I spoke in Limerick.

Written Answers — Fur Farming Sector: Fur Farming Sector (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: FÁS has not been involved to date in any specific issue to address redundancies arising in the fur farming sector. The agency's approach to redundancies and/or company closures is to offer a tailored approach as early as possible to the workers affected with a view to assisting them access alternative employment. FÁS has recently put in place with my Department a fast-track redundancy...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am advised by FÁS that the issues arose with this company since April 2007 are being reviewed. Pending the outcome of this review, FÁS has advised that it will introduce a system whereby issues of potential serious non-compliance by trainers in particular regions are brought to the immediate attention of senior management for resolution and referred to the National Register of Trainers...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The number of officials at principal officer level or higher working in my Department on 1 May 2009 was 74.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Financial supports from the agencies of my Department to eligible businesses in Ireland are provided regardless of the nationality of the business person. There is no discrimination in favour of any particular nationality.

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) provide a source of support to small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing enterprises may qualify for financial (grant) support from the CEBs. All of the CEBs operate to the same criteria in relation to the assistance which they can offer i.e. they can support the establishment...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the data tables and any other results from the 2008 Customer Survey will be released when the report is completed and published in the first half of 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Redundancy claims from the company in question were received by my Department earlier this year and were paid out of the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in September 2009. The employer claimed inability to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements of the employees on the basis that the company was insolvent. In the case of employer default, where either the employer genuinely has insufficient...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (10 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The table below outlines the number of whole time equivalent staff employed by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement on 1 January 2008, 1 January 2009 and on 1 October 2009 at each grade and within each profession. 1st January 2008 1st January 2009 1st October 2009 Director 1 1 1 Principal Officers 2 2 2 Assistant Principal 4 4 4 Higher Executive Officer 5.2 6.8 10.3...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Subsidy Scheme has been introduced to support the maintenance of vulnerable jobs and prevent people from being made redundant in this challenging national and global economic environment that we are facing. Given the low level of interest in the Employment Subsidy, I have decided to have a Second broader Call for applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both...

Written Answers — Vocational Education: Vocational Education (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This is a day-to-day matter for the Crafts Council of Ireland and not one in which my Department has any function. My Department has received no request for the name of a suitable person to carry out a feasibility study but would have been unable to respond to such a request in any event.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As previously stated, I have sought a review of the severance arrangements referred to in the context of information which was not available at the time the arrangements were approved. Full information in this regard must await the completion of a series of 23 FÁS internal audit reports which will be finalised in the very near future. When these reports are available this will facilitate...

Written Answers — Pricing Policy: Pricing Policy (11 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I understand the Deputy is referring to pricing arrangements agreed between parties in a contractual business relationship. In general, contact law, enforceable in the courts, governs the terms and conditions entered into by contracting parties. In so far as competition law has an effect on business relationships, this is in the form of prohibition of certain anti-competitive practices such...

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. a1, National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009 — amendments from the Seanad; and No. 1, Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. a1 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m. and any amendments from the Seanad not...

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We have had a considerable period of time to debate the legislation. In this House we had 86 hours of debate and in the Seanad we had 36 hours of debate. In the context of what we would like to achieve, which is the completion of this legislation as a matter of urgency, which was urged by the Commissioner when he was here recently, I propose the motion.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I share Deputy Hogan's delight in the release of Fr. Michael Sinnott. I thank those who have helped to ensure his release, including in particular my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and our ambassadors. Fr. Sinnott's family is certainly relieved that he is free and it was wonderful to see him in such good fettle despite his captivity. Our officials are liaising with his family...

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On the Defamation Act, which has been passed, the Minister has indicated he will commence it very shortly.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I will revert to the Deputy in due course on the date for the Committee Stage debate.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The debate will take place on Tuesday week, as agreed by the party spokespersons. There is not yet a date for publication of the animal and welfare legislation.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is intended that the environment Bill will come before the House during this session and the sale of alcohol Bill will come before it early next year.