Results 1,381-1,400 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Consumer Awareness: Consumer Awareness (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Consumer Strategy Group in its recently published report, Make Consumers Count, estimated the loss or damage experienced by consumers when purchasing goods or services that do not meet their requirements, are faulty, over-priced or sub-optimal to be in the order of approximately, €810 million per annum or €204 per person per year. In compiling this figure for consumer detriment, the...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department granted 1,559 work permits under the special arrangements for spouses of certain non-EEA nationals since these arrangements were introduced in 18 February 2004. The categories in the scheme cover persons working here on working visas-work authorisations, certain intra company transferees and certain academics, researchers and registered medical...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: Arising from audits by the European Commission in 2000, the Commission took a decision in February 2003 to reduce ESF aid to Ireland by €15.614 million in respect of three operational programmes from the 1994 to 1999 period, that is, the human resources development operational programme, the tourism operational programme and the industrial development operational programme. The sum involved...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: Competitiveness is an issue of national importance that deserves careful monitoring and corrective policy intervention where necessary, but it must be pointed out that competitiveness does not affect the manufacturing sector alone. An uncompetitive economy will never be able to consistently create employment and increase its citizens' standard of living, as we have done over the past decade....

Written Answers — Enterprise Strategy Group Report: Enterprise Strategy Group Report (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Government has considered and endorsed the report of the high level committee that was asked to look at the most appropriate implementation arrangements for the Enterprise Strategy Group, ESG, recommendations. The Government is broadly supportive of the policy directions recommended by the ESG as underlined by its intention to implement, either in full or with some modifications, most of...

Written Answers — Shannon Development: Shannon Development (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: On 28 July last, following detailed consultations with the board of the company, other stakeholders and regional interests, I announced a decision on a future mandate for Shannon Development. The terms of that decision are quite clear and take account of the Enterprise Strategy Group's recommendations. As I have indicated in response to previous similar parliamentary questions, there have...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have no plans at present to review the eligibility criteria for funding from the city and county enterprise boards, CEBs. Within the last two years my Department, through Forfás, commissioned a review of the role and functions of the CEBs in the development of micro-enterprises. The review represents the most comprehensive examination of the role and functions of the CEBs since their...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: Enterprise Ireland has primary responsibility for the development of indigenous small and medium enterprises, SMEs, in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. I should point out that the decision whether or not to provide funding to a company is a day-to-day matter for the agency itself, and is not one in which I have a direct function. Enterprise Ireland offers a range...

Written Answers — Enterprise Development: Enterprise Development (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The county and city enterprise boards, CEBs, exist alongside a number of other nationally and locally delivered supports for micro-enterprises, including Enterprise Ireland and local Leader groups, which support small enterprise. The CEBs can assist in the establishment and-or development of eligible new and existing enterprises from individuals-sole traders, companies and community groups,...

Written Answers — Shannon Development: Shannon Development (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: On 28 July last, following detailed consultations with the board of the company, other stakeholders and regional interests, I announced a decision on a future mandate for Shannon Development. As I have indicated in response to previous similar parliamentary questions, there have been a number of recent developments that impact on the future role of Shannon Development, the most significant of...

Written Answers — Consumer Strategy Group Report: Consumer Strategy Group Report (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The consumer strategy group's report, Make Consumers Count, was published on 18 May of this year. The Government have already approved the report's core recommendation namely that a new statutory body, the National Consumer Agency, be established to advocate on behalf of consumers. Given that this will require primary legislation, a board has been appointed to the NCA to act in an interim...

Written Answers — Company Liquidation: Company Liquidation (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the full extent of its liabilities. While it may take some more time to finalise all outstanding matters, I understand that the liquidator hopes to be in a position to make at least an interim payment to creditors before the end of the year. The liquidator was appointed to...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The total Oireachtas grants to the industrial development agencies under my remit amount to over €560 million in 2005. Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients throughout all regions to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of employment, innovation and exports. Enterprise Ireland's...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department has no record of a valid application made by an employer in respect of the individual about whom the Deputy inquires.

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The most recent quarterly national household survey, published by the Central Statistics Office earlier this month, shows that 495,500 people were in employment in the Border, midland and western, BMW, region in the period from March to May 2005, an increase of 26,600 people since the same period in 2004. In addition, the level of unemployment fell to 4.3% in the period from March to May 2005...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 650 together. The number of IDA supported jobs created in County Kerry in each of the years from 2000 to 2004, inclusive, is set out in the attached tabular statement. These data are compiled from the annual Forfás employment survey. County data for 2005 will not be available until mid-2006. IDA Ireland's strategy for Kerry is to win high value...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The social economy programme, SEP, was launched in September 2000 with the objective of providing services to communities and employment opportunities for the unemployed. By 2003, there were 336 social economy enterprises in operation employing a total of 2,381, including projects previously operating under community employment. A review of the social economy programme was undertaken by WRC...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables which show the amount paid in each of the last five years — 2001 to 2004, inclusive, and 2005 to date — for contracts where the aggregate amount involved exceeds €100,000. A number of the contracts, for example in the fields of IT maintenance, are ongoing into future years and further payments will arise depending...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: A lack of clear communication and of understanding in any workplace could potentially pose a risk to the health and safety of the workers therein. It is clear that the construction sector has many workers who do not have English as a first language and, accordingly, it is appropriate that employers and those who are in control of workplaces in this country put in place clear systems of...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Bill 2005, published on 29 June, contains provisions which will empower me to introduce a green card type system for skilled labour immigration. Extensive research and consultations have been undertaken by Forfás and the expert group on future skill needs on the development of a skills based migration policy. This work will inform the formulation of an economic...