Results 13,261-13,280 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: That is what happens in every case.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: In gathering evidence a person can be compelled. We are giving compulsion powers to require people to answer questions. It is much like a tribunal, as I understand it. If somebody refuses to answer a question in a tribunal, that is an offence. Equally, we know that evidence produced in a tribunal cannot be used to prosecute the people who were compelled to come to it.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: Section 28 currently provides that the manner in which an appeal against a compliance notice to the Labour Court would be effected, and likewise an appeal of the decision of the Labour Court to the Circuit Court under this section, would be subject to regulations made by the Minister. This amendment obviates the need for the Minister to make such regulations and provides that the...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The period of 42 days an employer has to initiate an appeal against a compliance notice issued by an inspector and an appeal from the Labour Court to the Circuit Court, mirrors the standard appeal period which applies, for example, to the bringing of an appeal to the Labour Court from the decision of an adjudication officer. An important principle underlying the procedural reforms which the...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: We are providing the same period for workers and for employers. It is six weeks in both cases. That is fair. Not all employers have all the resources in the world, as Senator Craughwell said. That is not the truth for all employers.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: It is an even-handed approach. The same provision is being made for all parties in respect of these periods.

Topical Issues (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: I am taking the matter to be raised by Deputy Brian Stanley.

Topical Issues: Job Creation (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: I thank both Deputies for raising this issue. Part of the response to our employment crisis lies with the IDA, but much of it lies elsewhere. The overall picture is worth stating both in respect of Kerry and the midlands. In Kerry during the crash the live register increased by 10,000. Many of those came from the construction sector which completely collapsed. Since the Government...

Topical Issues: Job Creation (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: We need to have a realistic debate about what we can do. IDA Ireland does not decide where an industry locates. An industry locates in areas where it can get the things it needs to grow. Very often for multinational companies, that will centre on education and the skill base. That is why the institutes of technology in Tralee and Athlone are the magnets. They are what are needed for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Equality Tribunal Cases (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Equality Tribunal is a quasi- judicial and independent statutory body set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998 to investigate and decide on complaints of discrimination. The Equality Tribunal as one of the quasi-judicial bodies of this Department and is operated independently of the Minister and as such the Minister does not interfere in the exercise by that body of its...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Equality Tribunal Cases (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The 2014 budget allocation for the Equality Tribunal was €1.955 million. The number of staff employed in the Tribunal at the end of 2014 was 21.6 full time equivalents (FTEs), a number of which are assisting with Workplace Relations Reform projects. The Tribunal had 730 new cases referred to it in 2014 and closed 506 cases.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Carer's Benefit Eligibility (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The National Carer’s Strategy published in 2012 by the Department of Health, sets out the strategic direction for policies, services and supports provided for carers. This strategy, prepared in consultation with carers, established the key priorities to support carers given scarce resources and a Carers’ Forum is held annually to continue to give carers a voice at policy...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Relations Services (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: I understand that Carers Scotland, a charitable organisation, has received funding to develop Carer Positive, a ‘caring for carers’ kitemark to recognise employers who offer the best support to carers, allowing them the flexibility they often need to deliver care at home. I understand it is overseen by an Advisory Group of key stakeholders that have supported the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tax Code (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: Following clarification, I understand that the question relates to the payment of tax and pay related social insurance (PRSI) while an employee is out sick. In general, an employee has no right under employment law to be paid by their employer while on sick leave. Consequently, it is at the discretion of the employer to decide his/her own policy on sick pay and sick leave, subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: On 11 February, the Government announced details of the Action Plan for Jobs: Regional initiative which will seek to maximise the strengths and assets of each region to support enterprise growth and job creation. The Regional Action Plans will identify specific measures that can be taken to help each region to realise its economic potential, with a view to increasing the number of people at...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: International Bodies Membership (24 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: International linkages are a crucial component of a national innovation system. In this context membership of international research organisations can play an important role in enhancing and supporting the effectiveness and output of Ireland’s innovation system. However, Ireland’s membership of international research organisations must be predicated on whether the benefit of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices (25 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Construction Products Regulations 2013 () were signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on 27 June 2013 to facilitate the application of the Construction Products Regulation (or CPR) in Ireland and providing for inspection of products on the Irish market by Local Authorities. These Regulations came into operation on 1 July 2013. Since July 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Standards Authority of Ireland (25 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The number of approvals processed since January 1st, 2014 is 971 across the four broad categories of vehicle approvals. As at the 20thFebruary 2014 there were 166 outstanding applications to be processed. The timeframe for approvals to be processed from submission of application to final approval ranges from 10 days in respect of disabled driver applications to 42 days for commercial...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The amendment is not appropriate as section 7(2) of the Bill already provides for the criminal liability of certain persons connected to a body corporate in certain circumstances in the case of offences under the Act. Extending liability for the debts of a solvent company to its officers would, I am advised by the Attorney General, be constitutionally suspect and represent a major departure...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2015)

Richard Bruton: The amendment is of a drafting nature and does not result in any substantive change to the Bill. It is necessary to include definitions of the terms "employer registration number" and "personal public service number" for the purposes of the section.