Results 1,521-1,540 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Computerisation Programme. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Yes, and if they examine this exchange, it will become clear that the intention of the Department is that schools which have met the criteria and standards in terms of what technology is available will be able to recoup investment. I do not know which teacher referred to digital projectors as being old hat but that is not the experience of most teachers. Some of the Deputy's correspondents...

School Staffing. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Significant support is given to schools by way of language support provision. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of those pupils' language proficiency. This is done through an annual application process in the spring and summer of each year....

School Staffing. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I believe the figure is approximately 600. In my previous portfolio with responsibility for integration, one of the priorities was that if there were to be reductions in the language resource teachers, it would need to be a balancing item in particular in those urban areas, most acutely in suburban Dublin where in the west of Dublin-----

School Staffing. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: My priority as Minister of State with responsibility for integration at the time when the reductions were being discussed in the Department of Education and Science-----

School Staffing. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: The important point is that there is flexibility in the system where there is a very strong concentration of migrant children.

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: The availability of venture capital for start-up businesses is a very important issue. While my Department has addressed the issue of the availability of capital for early stage businesses in a number of ways as I will outline, there are certainly continuing challenges in relation to raising finance for new businesses. These include the fact that fewer people now have discretionary funds...

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I assure the Deputy that encouraging increased venture capital funding is one of the Government's main objectives. That is why the innovation task force, of which I and the Taoiseach are members, is tasked primarily with examining this issue in the context of our announcement under the smart economy framework initiative to create a €500 million innovation fund. The task force is expected...

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: It is an essential element of the equation. A paradox of the success of Enterprise Ireland is that many venture capitalists outside Ireland will not invest money in small and medium-sized enterprises on this island unless the Enterprise Ireland label is associated with the fund. In many cases, such investors are not merely seeking matched funding but also assurances that the State is involved.

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I reassure the Deputy that the encouragement of venture capital funding is the centrepiece of the work of the innovation task force. It is important to emphasise that as well as early stage companies, the innovation fund will also look at the issue of scaling up. The Deputy and others have suggested that start-up and early stage companies are where we should concentrate our efforts.

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: There is also a significant issue in terms of how we attract venture capital and innovation funding into companies that have the potential to scale up and become global operators. It is not just about early stage funding; it is also about how we support strong indigenous companies in scaling up.

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank all Deputies for their contributions to this debate; they were very welcome. With regard to Deputy Deenihan's point, it is important to point out that the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation and the European Union have jointly sponsored significant research on why the salmon survival rate in the seas beyond our immediate shores is so low. Deputy Deenihan is quite right...

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: That has happened.

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I assure the Deputy that Deputy Tom Hayes will not be disappointed because there is no threat to the Clonmel office. It is important this new body remains anchored in the river basins and other localities for which it is responsible. We are mindful of the need to avoid creating another beast which bestrides the resource but does little. Deputy Nolan spoke about the need to put local anglers...

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Deputy Ferris raised the issue of lack of knowledge and accountability and expressed disappointment that the majority of the nine members of the slimmed down board will be appointed by Ministers. It is important that we create a body that can take the necessary decisions. We do not have many years left to us and it would be disappointing-----

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Referral to Select Committee (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Having regard to the significant increase in the number of PhD graduates in Ireland in recent years and the Government's objective to have more researchers in the enterprise sector, the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (ACSTI) was requested to examine the skills that enterprise requires from 4th level Ireland, to review the role in enterprise that is filled by PhD...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Six Prospecting Licences are currently held for the Stonepark and surrounding area of County Limerick by Connemara Mining Company PLC, which is in a joint venture with Teck Ireland Ltd. These licences were granted in 2005 for a six year period with the option of renewal at the end of the six year period. Connemara Mining Company PLC also holds 10 other Prospecting Licences in the wider...

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (3 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I have received a request from the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for my views on a proposal he is considering to allow Irish commercial fishing vessels to target sea bass and land it when caught in offshore waters. I have requested advice from inland fisheries authorities and scientists, given the importance of these stocks, their status and...

Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Hope springs eternal.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (10 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: As the Deputy is aware the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 is currently before the House. This Bill provides for the restructuring of the management of the inland fisheries sector, including the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland, a single authority which will replace the existing Central Fisheries Board and seven Regional Fisheries Boards. I assume the Deputy is referring to the...