Results 11,681-11,700 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The matter has not been considered by the Government so I am not in a position to give any information or to say if the Minister has received the report but I will revert to the Deputy on that. If we had started this morning at 10.30 a.m. without having any votes and I had put a motion before the Dáil Éireann to say we want a replay, it would have passed d'aon ghuth. Having said that, in...

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On the legislation, this matter has been raised on a number of occasions and the reply is that it is important legislation and it is being worked on. It is proposed that it will be available next year.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Early next year.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The legislation that has been promised that is of huge consequence concerns the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator. On the other legislation, there have been some discussions, particularly in the context of company law and no final decision has been made on who would be responsible for that legislation but I will revert to the Deputy with an update.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am but I am referring to discussions that are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Finance in the context of that legislation.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is extraordinary in his flippancy, which is typical.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I will revert to the Deputy with an update on the discussions that are taking place as to which Department will be responsible in the context of that legislation. Further discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Finance. I must have due regard to the Upper House where I am expected to deliver a speech in five minutes.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There will be a finance Bill, the contents of which will not be familiar until we have the budget. If the Deputy articulates his concerns about the issue he has raised to the Minister for Finance and asks him to consider this in the context of the finance Bill, then I am sure he will do so.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I cannot recall this being discussed, but I will revert to the Deputy in the matter.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There are draft heads as regards that legislation and it is anticipated that it will be published next year. The other matter is a subject for discussion with the Whips, as to whether time will be available to discuss the issue.

Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am not in a position to refer to-----

Written Answers — Registry of Friendly Societies: Registry of Friendly Societies (19 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I set out below the statistics to which the Deputy is referring, for ease of reference. Year No. of Trade Unions Registered Annual Returns Filed 2006 66 49 2007 65 47 2008 65 39 I should point out that the term trade unions in this context also comprises employer and trade associations, and not just the more commonly understood employee trade unions. The number of trade unions who...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: In the context of the commitment contained in Building Ireland's Smart Economy document to "publish a whole-of-government response to recommendations contained in Competition Authority reports within nine months of their publication", a prioritised list of Competition Authority recommendations, based on their impact on competitiveness, was drawn up by my Department earlier this year....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: In response to the economic downturn and the resulting rapid rise in unemployment, FÁS has, within its existing staff allocation, increased the number of staff in front line Employment Services. The totality of people interviewed has expanded considerably and it was essential that FÁS provided enough front-line staff in the National Employment Service to provide for a major increase in...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The National Training Fund is used as a dedicated fund to support the training and upskilling of those in employment and those who wish to take up employment. It is also used as a fund for research to provide information on existing and likely future skills requirements of the economy. In 2009 the National Training Fund is investing a total of €381.4 million in training and upskilling....

Written Answers — Trade Links: Trade Links (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently working with the relevant Departments and key agencies on the preparation of an action plan for improving trade, investment and tourism links with new fast developing markets as mandated in the report on Building Ireland's Smart Economy. The action plan will be a focused, practical and strategic plan that builds on and, most importantly, integrates all of the...

Written Answers — Trade Links: Trade Links (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Details of Ireland's trade with Cuba for the period 2004 to 2008 and also for the first seven months of this year, are set out in the following table. During this period, the main category of exports was 'Particle Board, MDF and other Wood Manufactures', followed by 'Spirits/Whiskey, Beer/Cider & other Beverages'. For January – July 2009, exports of 'Medical and Pharmaceutical products'...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer (micro-enterprises) in...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Courses: FÁS Training Courses (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The following tables set out the information requested by the Deputy that is readily available. FÁS pay for training for people with disability on a per capita fee basis. The current fee payable is €16,256 per capita per annum. Overall Amount Granted to Roslyn Park on a Per Capita Fee Basis Year Amount € 2008 4,072,919 2007 3,869,340 2006 3,282,697 2005 3,263,984 2004 3,014,794...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: With the exception of a building in Shannon occupied by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), none of the buildings and premises occupied by my Department and the 8 Offices of my Department are rented or leased by the Department. In general, all buildings and premises occupied by my Department and its Offices are provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) without any cost to the...