Results 11,621-11,640 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: I am aware that in September 2009 Teva Pharmaceuticals announced they were closing down their solid dosage generics plant in Waterford over the next year, with the loss of 350 jobs. The company currently employs approximately 690 permanent and 74 temporary people. The company informed IDA that the closure was due to competitive reasons and that the solid dosage part of the business was moving...

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

Mary Coughlan: On 1 January 2006 responsibility for the Social Economy Programme transferred to the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and it has been re-named as the Community Services Programme. FÁS as an agency of my Department operates Job Initiative (JI). The Job Initiative Programme (JI) was launched in July 1996 and provides full time employment for people who are 35 years of age or...

Written Answers — Consumer Rights: Consumer Rights (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I established the Sales Law Review Group in November 2008 to report on several issues relating to consumer and commercial law, including the proposal for a Directive on Consumer Rights published in October 2008. The Review Group's report, which was published in June 2009, is a thorough, expert analysis of the provisions of the proposed Directive. The proposed Directive will have a major...

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

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is carrying out an investigation into certain matters within FÁS. A copy of the report that deals with the examination of advertising and promotion in FÁS, which forms part of the investigation, was laid before the House on 9 September. I understand that a further report from the C&AG will be issued in the coming months....

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

Mary Coughlan: On 12 February 2009, SR Technics Group (SRT) announced that it planned to exit its business at Dublin Airport and layoff 1135 employees. Following the decision, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland formed a project team to promote the operation through the IDA Ireland overseas network and to meet with and assess expressions of interest in the operation. As part of the decision to close their...

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

Mary Coughlan: 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 to re-orientate towards the Eurozone in the first instance and, for those which are most capable, into areas such as the Gulf, Brazil, India and China, where economies...

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

Mary Coughlan: A broadly representative working group is considering the most appropriate mechanisms for the deployment of the anticipated support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for workers made redundant at the DELL computer manufacturing plant in Raheen and associated enterprises. The probability is that EGF interventions and supports will be largely delivered through State agencies and...

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

Mary Coughlan: I have been informed that FÁS does not pay remuneration for members of any committees, sub-committees, monitoring groups and advisory groups below Board level. I understand that the Independent Chairman of the FÁS/Enterprise Ireland National Register of Trainers receives an honorarium in the order of €6,000 per annum dependent on the number of Committee meetings held.

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

Mary Coughlan: Representations were received by both myself and my Department regarding certification issues earlier this Autumn. FÁS is dealing with the findings of an internal audit report relating to the issues concerned.

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together. Consumer Price Index returns from the Central Statistics Office show that overall prices in Ireland fell by 6.5% in the year to September 2009. This compares with a fall of only 1.4 % in the UK for the same period. At the European level, the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which is accepted as the most appropriate measure for...

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

Mary Coughlan: While ultimately it is individual businesses that must take advantage of global markets, it is the responsibility of my Department to foster the conditions which can support Irish enterprise in meeting these global challenges and opportunities and to ensure that no barriers are placed in their way. It is critical that the broad business environment is conducive to improved export...

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 117 together. There are no official statistics which record job gains or losses in the wider economy. The Quarterly National Household Survey or QNHS published by the Central Statistics Office, records the numbers in employment on a quarterly basis only and shows only the net change in the numbers in employment. In the second quarter of 2009, the most...

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

Mary Coughlan: Restoring Ireland's competitiveness and, in particular, cost competitiveness is a key priority for this Government and essential for sustaining and creating employment. Growing our exports is the only sustainable path to reduce unemployment and secure long term prosperity. In order to enable Irish exporters to compete successfully in global markets, we need to increase productive investment...

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

Mary Coughlan: In general the groups, bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department are accountable to me as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the Oireachtas for expenditure incurred throughout the year. The principles of Government accounting are mainly derived from the Constitution, and from the institutions and financial relationships between the Oireachtas and the...

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

Mary Coughlan: The table below lists the Offices, agencies, and other bodies and groups currently under the aegis of my Department. The funding allocated to each of these entities by my Department between 2004 and 2009 inclusive is also provided. The allocations include Exchequer funding and, where appropriate, National Training Fund monies. Some of the agencies also receive funding from other sources,...

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. Restoring Ireland's cost competitiveness has been a priority for the Government. Over the past few months we have seen significant downward pressure on costs and on prices generally. Following significant energy price reductions in May 2009, from this October there has been significant reduction in gas prices and a modest reduction in...

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (17 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Dublin people would not pay.

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (17 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am not missing the point.

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (17 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The release of the pre-budget outlook last week sets out the parameters within which we must all work when considering budgetary decisions. We all know that Ireland has experienced an extremely challenging 18 months. The pre-budget outlook reflects that. The global recession has had a particular impact on small, open economies, such as that of Ireland, more so than others. Allied to the...

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (17 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Meanwhile, Deputy Burton expressed her support for the Government's position on the undesirability of high marginal tax rates by describing them as a nightmare. I welcome her conversion but I note she did not spell out the detail of the third tax rate that has previously featured in her party's policy statements. While there would appear to be broad agreement that we must correct the public...