Results 11,581-11,600 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The report "Issues and Challenges in the Recruitment and Selection of Immigrant Workers in Ireland", published in July 2009, was prepared by the WRC, Social and Economic Consultants, for the Employers' Diversity Network of the Public Appointments Service. Part-funded by the Office of the Minister for Integration, the research report recounted the experiences of job seekers from different...

Written Answers — Export Sector: Export Sector (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 49 together. Notwithstanding the challenging trading environment, global opportunities for Irish businesses remain significant. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, is active both in assisting Irish indigenous companies to find new markets for their products and services and to increase their existing level of market share. Encouraging companies...

Written Answers — Small and Medium Enterprises: Small and Medium Enterprises (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley and I have met with the county managers, to discuss local authority charges in the context of easing cost pressures on business at local level and promoting economic activity. We have made the concerns of businesses very clear to the county managers and I would like to assure the Deputy that local authorities are...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I last met with the Director of Corporate Enforcement on 19 of February this year. Among the matters discussed were a general outline of the director's functions and powers, a general briefing in relation to the ongoing work of his office and current resources.

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 59 together. The renewed programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "implement a Code of Practice for doing business in the grocery goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the code and if necessary to put in place a mandatory code". The House will be aware that...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The valuation figures for the FÁS Closed Superannuation Scheme, which solely covers former AnCO staff, as at 31 December 2008 are the following: the market value of pension fund assets is €328 million; the present value of pension liabilities is €631million. This leaves a deficit in the FÁS pension fund of €303 million. The valuation has been prepared by a qualified independent...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I have been informed by IDA Ireland that to date in 2009 the agency hosted 29 itineraries by potential investors to Louth and three to Donegal. The agency has also informed me that in the same period there have been no such site visits to Monaghan, Cavan or Leitrim. While IDA Ireland can and does encourage clients to visit particular locations, the final decision on where to visit or locate...

Written Answers — Smart Economy: Smart Economy (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I receive ongoing advice from my Department and the heads of the enterprise development agencies that report to my Department, as well as from business leaders and representative groups around the country. This has assisted in framing the Government's response to the current economic situation. I should also acknowledge the public spirited response from many individuals and groups who have...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This Government recognises the critical importance of reducing business costs at this time, when all sources of efficiency are in focus and when jobs are at stake in all sectors of the economy. Restoring cost competitiveness is a vital part of driving export led growth. Under the Framework for Economic Renewal we are taking a number of measures across Government to improve our...

Written Answers — Employment Statistics: Employment Statistics (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: 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. The latest date for which figures are available is 2008. Data in respect of 2009 will not be available until early in 2010. Details of the number of jobs lost and new jobs...

Written Answers — Services Sector: Services Sector (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The report of the Services Strategy Group, "Catching the Wave: A Services Strategy for Ireland", sets out new policy proposals on how we can ensure the continued development and growth of Ireland's services sector and outlines how to maximise the future returns to the country from services activities in all enterprises, both current and potential. Three strategic aims for future services...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 62 and 69 together. The resignation of the person concerned from the position of Director General of FÁS was secured as it was considered to be in line with the best interests of the FÁS organisation and its clients. The former Director General resigned on the basis that severance arrangements acceptable to him were agreed. The severance arrangements...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently a total of 10 EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. Three of these Directives are currently overdue, namely Directive 2008/47/EC on aerosol dispensers, Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual and consolidated accounts and Directive 2006/46/EC on company reporting. My Department aims to transpose these Directives by 13 November, 30...

Written Answers — National Skills Strategy: National Skills Strategy (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 54 and 89 together. The National Skills Strategy (NSS) provides details of an ambitious vision for the skills profile in Ireland in 2020. It contains a long-term target for some 500,000 workers to increase their levels of educational attainment by at least one level of the National Framework of Qualifications. This remains the long-term objective....

Written Answers — Cross-Border Initiatives: Cross-Border Initiatives (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The ground-breaking Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy, to which the Deputy refers, sets out a strong rationale for beneficial all-island economic activity. The strategic context for North/South co-operation, which is outlined in the study, highlights the "market-widening effect" of a larger market on the island of Ireland, where previously unexplored business opportunities are...

Written Answers — Companies Legislation: Companies Legislation (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On foot of the commitment in the Renewed Programme for Government of October 2009, the Government will consider the optimum legislative mechanisms to regulate in these areas in the light of the Financial Reporting Council reviews of the Combined Code of Corporate Governance and taking into account the views of the Company Law Review Group in the matter.

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware that Harris Incorporated has advised its 70 permanent and 49 temporary employees that it intends closing its newly acquired operation (formerly Tyco Electronics) at Ballytrasna, Little Island, County Cork. The operation is to close in June 2010, with manufacturing to cease by March 2010. The primary reason for the closure is that Harris has surplus capacity at its Rochester New...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As with all Group recommendations relevant to my Department, I am examining the recommendation in the context of Estimates for 2010 and evaluating its potential impact on the provision of services to enterprise and on my efforts to promote employment.

Written Answers — Enterprise Development: Enterprise Development (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of employment, innovation and exports. The Agency works with almost 490 client companies in the West Region which employ 10,535 people. In 2008, €19.7m was approved by Enterprise Ireland for clients in the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: How best to give effect to the Towards 2016 commitment to exclude certain workers from the provisions of the Competition Act 2002 is being examined in the context of on-going work on the preparation of draft legislation which will give effect to the amalgamation of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. In addition to including the amendments to section 4 of the Act...