Results 12,621-12,640 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The report referred to by the Deputy identifies procedural deficiencies in financial controls and governance in FÁS. However, it is important to point out that it also concludes that transactions processed were, in the vast majority of cases, for the benefit of the Agency, and that transactions comprised in its annual accounts were properly chargeable for its objectives. I have sought and...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I have asked the State Agencies under the remit of my Department to engage as a matter of urgency with the workers concerned.

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I understand from IDA Ireland that the jobs involved in this case were not in the internationally traded services category and that IDA did not have dealings with the Bank in relation to the jobs. Regulatory and other public policy matters in relation to domestic banking operations in Ireland are within the remit of the Minister for Finance. Should any issues arise for my Department from...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 93 and 136 together. The Government recognises that unemployment is a major problem impacting on every county in Ireland. It is a problem that is affecting both rural and urban society. Due to the severe downturn in the construction sector I am also very aware that unemployment is having a disproportionate impact on young men. Two thirds of those signing...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 99 together. The recent Live Register statistics for February showed that 436,956 people were signing on. It is important to say that of these 275,475 (63%) were signing on the Live Register on a full week basis representing an unemployment rate of 7.9%. While this remains far too high it should also be noted that it represented a month on month...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I would refer the Deputy to the detailed reply given to PQ No.63 in today's Order Paper. I will be glad to discuss the issues raised directly with the Deputy.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Apprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme for employed people aimed at developing the skills of the apprentice to meet the needs of industry and of the labour market. The number of apprentices registered in the month of January 2010 was 82, and 119 apprentices were registered by employers for the month of February 2010. The current level of registrations is in...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action it is not possible to provide the information requested.

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland has consistently been regarded amongst the most competitive economies in the world for supporting enterprise. Reports such as the 'IBM Global Location Trends Annual Report 2009' that was published in October of last year ranked Ireland 1st for attracting FDI on a per capita basis. They listed our key strengths in services and R&D as the reason for topping the list. Similarly, the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My most recent contacts with Ryanair were a meeting I had with its CEO Mr Michael O'Leary on Tuesday 16 February, followed by a letter I wrote to Mr O'Leary on 18 February and letters I received from him on 19 February and 25 February. Mr O'Leary also responded on 19 February to a letter of 18 February from Shannon Development, one of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, which...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The total number of staff employed in my Department on 1 March 2010 was 988.62 (full time equivalents). The following Business Units of my Department deal with labour market issues: Labour Force Development Division Employment and Training Strategy Policy Unit on Employment European Social Fund Policy & Operations Labour Market Policy Work Permits Employment Rights & Industrial Relations ·...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Enterprise Stabilisation Fund was established by Government in 2009 as a 2 year scheme to support viable but vulnerable exporting companies experiencing difficulties because of the current economic climate. Client companies of Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Údarás Na Gaeltachta and Shannon Development across all sectors within manufacturing and internationally traded services are eligible to...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In accordance with Section 70(1) of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001, the Company Law Review Group's (CLRG) Work Programme is assigned by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment every two years. I expect to receive the Report of the Group on its 2008-2009 Work Programme before the end of March. Following consideration by the Government, the Report will be laid before both Houses...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The remarks attributed to the Minister for Finance in the interview in question would, no doubt, have been made with the banking sector in particular in mind. Policy responsibility for the banking sector is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. In the area of company law that falls within my responsibility, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is currently drafting the...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Government has taken a range of actions to sustain the banks and facilitate the flow of credit to the wider economy. The Bank Guarantee Scheme, the Banks' Recapitalisation Scheme, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and the massive effort we have put into the entire NAMA process are all with the single purpose of getting our banking sector supporting the wider economy. NAMA is...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In February, 2010 Boston Scientific announced that 175 staff at their Galway plant on temporary contracts were being released from these contracts. These temporary positions are increased and reduced in line with business demands. The medical devices company confirmed that the site is not at risk and remains strongly committed to its operations in Ireland, which are making a significant...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: A notice announcing the establishment of the Labour Market Activation Fund, 2010, was published by my Department on Friday 12th February 2010 in the national press. Details were also posted on the Government E-tenders website at www.e-tenders.gov.ie, and in the Official Journal of the European Union. Full information on tender requirements will be published at the time of the Call for...

Written Answers — Employment Action Plan: Employment Action Plan (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: A total of 12,199 persons aged between 18 and 24 were interviewed and assessed by FÁS in 2009 following referral by the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) under the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP). Of these, 4817 persons remain on the Live Register. Following the offer of a training or educational course or employment a total of 7,382 persons left the Live Register. All...

Written Answers — Export Credit Insurance: Export Credit Insurance (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is considering the merits of introducing a State supported Medium-term Export Credit Insurance Scheme (where the risk period is over 2 years), as part of our ongoing work, with other relevant Government Departments and Agencies, to prepare an Action Plan for Trade, Investment and Tourism, as mandated in the Smart Economy framework. It should be appreciated that Medium-term...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The proposal for a Consumer Rights Directive was published in October 2008 and brings together in updated and consolidated form four existing Directives on doorstep selling, distance sales, consumer sales and guarantees, and unfair contract terms. Unlike the Directives it is intended to replace, the proposal has been drafted on a full harmonisation basis and, if adopted on this basis, would...