Results 11,781-11,800 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Insurance Industry. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We had a very robust analysis. KPMG was involved with the UK credit insurance scheme so we were using some of its knowledge. We were operating from a different base than the United Kingdom at the time. We carried out a forensic analysis and we have a comprehensive picture of the market. Only 4% of Irish exports are insured. The existing cover is heavily concentrated in one sector, the...

Insurance Industry. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: SMEs were very much involved also. The SME sector, in itself, is not large in the context of obtaining credit insurance. I met some of the smaller foreign direct investment people who do not insure themselves but one should note it was some of the raw materials that were being imported that were not being insured. This created some difficulties in itself and we had to meet some people about...

Insurance Industry. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I do not disagree on the role of the SMEs in the export sector. That is why the plan we have will be international and will focus on our trade opportunities. Tied to it will be the export credit insurance scheme, which will be very complementary. Another issue raised is equally appropriate for consideration. I was asked whether I would publish the report. I am not in a position to do so...

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The high-level group on labour market issues was established under the provisions of Towards 2016: Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009, which was ratified in October 2008. The high-level group is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprises two representatives from each of the social partner pillars and senior officials from several Departments. The group met in January...

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Department of the Taoiseach.

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As I indicated, it is part of the social partnership programme. The group has been superseded by the Cabinet sub-committee on economic renewal, which has discussed labour activation measures at every meeting. The group is a high-level group and is made up of officials. It is not a ministerial group. The ministerial work is done through the Cabinet sub-committee. The work of the...

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: What is happening is that its work is being superseded by the work of myself, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and the Minister for Education and Science.

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is a part of the social partnership group. What has happened arising from that-----

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: No. There was a meeting in September 2009 to analyse the labour market activation programmes. The committee had points to make on these yesterday and I will be taking them on board in the context of quality assurance. It is important to reiterate that the group has been superseded by the Cabinet sub-committee, which has met almost every fortnight. All these matters are discussed at...

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: That is exactly what has happened. The Cabinet sub-committee on economic renewal is now the main committee dealing with all these issues. Competitiveness, energy, tourism and education are all interlinked and are all under the auspices of one Cabinet sub-committee. The implementation of policy is done through the high level group or additional work is put back into the committee. Any...

Job Creation. (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: One cannot talk to the social partners every day.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: In the Review of Towards 2016 the Government committed to introducing amending legislation to exclude voice-over actors, freelance journalists and session musicians from the provisions of Section 4 of the Competition Act 2002. This commitment takes into account, inter alia, that there would be negligible negative impacts on the economy or on the level of competition and, having regard to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I established a short-time working training programme after the April 2009 Budget, which is training people who are on systematic short time for the days they are not working. The training lasts for a year and individuals retain their social welfare entitlements while on the programme. The number of people currently participating on this Programme is 156. I understand from FÁS that they...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Dec 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 — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes presented its report to the Government in July of this year. In its report, the Group outlined options to achieve savings in public expenditure across all Departmental Vote groups. In relation to my own Department, the Group made proposals for the rationalisation of some services provided by my Department's agencies,...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The agreed severance arrangements for the former Director General of FÁS were granted in accordance with Section 6(3) of the Labour Services Act, 1987, which states that "the Director General shall hold office on and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration and superannuation) as may be determined by the Minister [for Enterprise, Trade and...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As I have previously outlined to the House on a number of occasions over recent months, in supporting small and medium enterprises, the Government's focus has been on actions to sustain a positive business environment, including the proper functioning of the banking system, allied with specific targeted supports for SMEs through my Department's enterprise development agencies. Developments in...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Ultimately it is the boards and chief executives of State agencies that are responsible for ensuring that effective systems of internal control are maintained and operated. Each of the agencies under the aegis of my Department have in the normal course confirmed compliance with the code of practice in place up to June 2009 and that arrangements are being made to implement the new code without...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009 is currently going through the Seanad and is expected to be enacted later this month. The appointments will be made as soon as practicable when the Act has come into force. The Labour Services (Amendment) Bill, 2009 provides for a stronger governance and accountability structure at the State's employment and training agency. It takes account of the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The commitment to publish a whole of Government response to recommendations contained in Competition Authority reports is set out in the Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal document, Building Ireland's Smart Economy, published in December 2008 and reaffirmed in the October 2009 Review of the Programme for Government, Renewed Programme for Government. These reports by the Competition...