Results 13,421-13,440 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foráim Pleanála Fiontar (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: Soláthraíonn mo Roinn deiseanna éagsúla d’eagraíochtaí thar ceann gnólachtaí agus páirtithe leasmhara eile chun ionchur a sholáthar le haghaidh go leor míreanna oibre ríthábhachtacha. Tá na próisis agus na fóraim comhairliúcháin seo a leanas le fáil i mo Roinn agus cuireann siad deiseanna ar...

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

Richard Bruton: My Department has been working on the preparation of a Regional Enterprise Strategy for the Midlands following a consultation process with key stakeholders in the region towards the end of last year. The Government subsequently announced details of a more ambitious Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative in February, which will see Action Plans drawn up for eight regions at NUTS III...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Data (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: I am informed by IDA Ireland that it is actively seeking an investment for the new building in Garrycastle and is confident of a positive outcome. As property is one of the key considerations for clients when choosing a location, the availability of these suitable premises will provide an additional positive element in the Midlands. IDA Ireland promotes Westmeath as part of its Midlands...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Absenteeism (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: The most recent indications are that absenteeism has decreased over the last five years since 2009. In November 2014, a survey published by IBEC indicated that the level of absenteeism in business fell to 2.35% (5.5 days per year) across all industry sectors, down from 2.58% in 2009. IBEC estimate that absenteeism has fallen by over two days per year (from 3.38% or 7.8 days per employee in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Losses (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Interagency response group met for the first time on 18 March in Dublin City Local Enterprise Office (LEO). The meeting was chaired by an Enterprise Ireland Regional Director and was attended by the Heads of Function of Dublin City and Fingal LEOs, a representative of the Enterprise Ireland Food Division, IDA Ireland, Education and Training Boards from Tallaght and Ballyfermot, the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Freedom of Information Data (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: Initial decision making under the Freedom of Information legislation is delegated in my Department to a grade not below Higher Executive Officer or equivalent, and is normally carried out at either that level or at Assistant Principal Officer level. Decision making at internal review stage is delegated to a grade not below Assistant Principal or equivalent, and is normally carried out at...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permit Applications (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: A Critical Skills Employment Permit issued in respect of the person named by the Deputy on 19March 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Jobs Initiative (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: The issue of jobless households has been a particular focus of Government's labour market activation policy in recent years, most especially in the Pathways to Work series led by the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection. Indeed, the first of the five strands set out in Pathways to Work is to ensure better engagement with unemployed people and jobless households. To that end the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications (24 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme facility was introduced in October 2012 following demands from business interest for the introduction of supports for microenterprises in a difficult economic environment. The Scheme provides loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established, or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people, with commercially viable proposals that...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation Data (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Nevin Institute's Spring Report notes that 29,100 jobs were created in the economy between the end of 2013 and the end of 2014. The report also acknowledges that a further 61,000 jobs were created between Quarter 4 2012 and Quarter 4 2013, giving a total of 90,000 jobs created over the two-year period in question. To get an accurate picture of employment trends at a regional level,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Contracts (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: I have interpreted the Deputy's question to relate to contracts which my Department has entered into since I took up office on 9thMarch 2011. In the absence of a complete list of such business interests or investment holdings via subsidiaries or other structures being available it is not possible to give a definitive response to the Deputy's question. However, I am not aware of any contracts...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Bodies Data (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together. There are 10 Non-Commercial State Sponsored Bodies under my Department's remit and no Commercial Bodies. Of the State agencies under the aegis of my Department 41% of the board members are female. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to each is as follows: Personal Injuries Assessment Board The Personal Injuries Assessment Board...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Scientific Research (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: Government policy is focused on building excellence in scientific research and maximising its impact on job creation and economic and social progress. Neither I nor the Government make any apology for putting extra emphasis on research that could help to create more jobs. The Government introduced a number of policy initiatives targeted at accelerating the economic and societal return on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Scientific Research (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: I totally reject the suggestion that the approach adopted is either narrow or short-term. This work was initiated by my predecessor who appointed the group to look at the issue of research prioritisation. Nobody could argue with the make-up of the group. The approach being taken is that a proposal is tested first for scientific excellence by peer groups at the highest standard of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Scientific Research (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: I do not accept this at all. It would be very strange if people looking for funding were not complaining that they would like to have more funding. The Deputy knows that there were sharp cutbacks in research funding during his party's period in government.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Scientific Research (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: We have stabilised that. Every project that comes forward for consideration is considered first on its scientific excellence. That is done independently with international peer review. The excellence of the science is the first consideration. It also has to show some relevance to areas where we can hope to make an impact on our economy or our society. Such a focus is needed a time of 10%...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: It has been estimated that TTIP will have a positive impact on European output, incomes and employment. It is estimated that it will increase the size of the European economy by 0.5% of GDP and increase employment by 400,000. This would mean that a European family of four would see its annual disposable income increase by an average of €545. The suggestion that 1.3 million jobs will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: I think the Deputy is trying to mislead the House here. The Korea agreement that was signed recently has resulted in Europe's export sales into Korea growing at 2.5 times the rate of growth of any other market. The net gain that is occurring as a result of that agreement - it is tangible and can be tested - is the addition by European companies of jobs, employment and opportunities. TTIP...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: That is simply untrue. The research being undertaken both at European level and individually in Ireland denies that. The strongest performance of Irish companies is in the US. Enterprise Ireland supports thousands of Irish companies in entering the US market. It has offices across the US. It will take various steps to support any SME that is seeking to expand into that market. It can...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Job Creation (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Bruton: Based on the figures published by the CSO, and given any fair and reasonable review of the data, the Nevin institute’s presentation of regional employment data in its recent spring report was, at best, highly misleading. In the three years since the Action Plan for Jobs was launched every region has experienced job growth. Over that period more than 50% of the 90,000 jobs created...