Results 1,201-1,220 of 11,470 for speaker:Mary Butler

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: It is interesting that there has been an emphasis on banking today. At our first meeting, there was a huge emphasis on commercial rates. We spent most of the meeting discussing that issue. When I owned a small shop for 17 years, I was a proud member of RGDATA. I compliment RGDATA, NOffLA and the CSNA. It is nice for small independent shops that are not part of a chain like Centra or Spar...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: It needs to be stated that some local authorities are better than others. I am from Waterford. When I was on the council a few years ago there were incentives by Waterford City Council to try to encourage new businesses. It was quite constrained but there were some rates holidays for specific areas. For the first year, there might have been a 12-month holiday, the second, six months and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: There was no excise increase this year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I understand that but there is stock in hand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: Most consumers do, especially when it comes to cigarettes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: Ms Martyn would you like to make a comment? On a scale of 1 to 5 what is the most difficult thing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: As the Deputy joined us a little late, he may not be aware that we decided to invite representatives of the banks to appear before the committee as we heard a great deal about banking. Does membership of RGDATA or the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association confer any advantages on a smaller retail outlet such as a Londis store in terms of purchasing power? I know Centra stores buy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I did not realise that RGDATA represented such companies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Reilly. Small shops have a social value. We sold our family business. I remember there was a particular lady who could buy everything in one go but she used to come in seven days per week because I was the only person she spoke to every day. As with the post offices, one can never underestimate the social value of the small shop. Members are very much...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator. I thank the witnesses for coming here today to engage with the committee. Before we suspend, I invite Senator James Reilly to take the Chair, as we already agreed, because I must vacate it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: In our private session we determined that we would be bringing in representatives of the banking sector and credit unions, because that is a large part of the cost of doing business in this country. We accept that. I wish to ask Mr. Davitt a question about rates. Does he have suggestions as to how he would change the current assessment mechanism to better reflect the huge difference...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I direct my question to both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. On page 81 of the programme for Government it is stated the Government is committed, with Tusla, to providing targeted intervention services for children. The Waterford unit of the ISPCC is being closed on Friday, 1 December. It is manned by 35 volunteers and two full-time staff who take 30,000...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (29 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 66. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which she plans to address the shortfall in pension payments for persons retiring since 2012 in view of the inequality between persons retiring pre and post 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50505/17]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Delays (29 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 60. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the significant time delays for the appeals process in relation to social protection payments which can take six months to be completed. [50504/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Alert Programme (5 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: 74. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to support community alert schemes from a financial aspect regarding the costs of the text scheme. [51497/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: 79. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Waterford as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; and the number of Garda Reserve and new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51636/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (5 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: 199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51774/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: 246. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Waterford as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; and the number of Garda Reserve and new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51635/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (5 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: 392. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects a person (details supplied) will be called for an appointment at the ENT unit at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51957/17]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Waiting Lists (5 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: 445. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce the waiting lists for driving tests for young persons, in particular persons that must take a repeat test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51579/17]