Results 1,561-1,580 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Directives (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 (the 2001 Act) implemented EU Council Directive 97/81/EC into Irish law. The purpose of the Directive was to implement the Framework Agreement on part-time work concluded by the European cross-industry organisations UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC. The purpose of the Framework Agreement, which was annexed to the Directive, was to eliminate...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Disputes (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 to 560, inclusive, together. There is a robust suite of employment rights legislation in place providing protection for employees, including legislation governing working time and pay. This includes the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2014, National Minimum Wage Act 2000, the Payment of Wages Act 1991, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, the...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I congratulate Deputy Mary Butler on her appointment as Chairman and wish her the very best. I am glad to have Deputies Niall Collins, Stephen S. Donnelly, Tom Neville, Bríd Smith, Noel Rock and Maurice Quinlivan as members of the committee. I am grateful for the opportunity to say a few introductory words on the Department's 2016 Estimate. Initially, I will refer briefly to the...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I do. We knew I would be asked that question.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: If the Deputy gives me one minute, I will be able give it to him. We are building advance factories at the moment. We have built or are in the process of building three and are planning the next three. I will call them out to the Deputy.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In year 1, we are building in Sligo, Tralee and Castlebar. In year 2, we are building in Galway, Dundalk and Limerick. In year 3, we are building in Athlone, Carlow and Waterford. I note 34 completions of advance facilities, including in Athlone and Waterford. There are nine further sites identified for advance facility construction and we have also identified 34 other sites for...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Yes.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: They went to planning and tender in 2015 and they will be constructed during 2016. Galway, Dundalk and Limerick are at the design team stage and will go to planning later in the year.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: If I have not taken a note of all of the Deputy's questions, he can remind me. I will start with Brexit. Obviously, we are watching very closely what is happening. The Government and most Irish people hope the United Kingdom will vote to remain in the European Union. The value of trade over and back across the Irish Sea every week is €1.2 billion. It is a massive trade and we want...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Of course I would like to see more. We are pushing regional development. The programme for Government commits to provide an additional €300 million to Enterprise Ireland, the local enterprise offices and Údarás na Gaeltachta over a five-year period. It also contains a commitment to provide €200 million for IDA Ireland over five years. That will help to alleviate...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Yes.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I mentioned the nine advance factories that are being built. As far as I am aware, that is it for the moment. That is where the budget we have been given is going. That is what we have planned. The Deputy asked me whether there has been a change in the plan or in the budget since my appointment as Minister. I remind him that I have been here a month. A change cannot be made because of...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I cannot give the Deputy a precise amount for this particular programme, but I will get it for him. He can rest assured that he would be very impressed by these well-organised events. The feedback we have received, especially from the foreign direct investment companies, shows that they are delighted to do business in this way. I would like to mention another thing that came through to me...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: We do not have that information to hand, but we can get it for the Deputy.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Neville for his kind words. In 2015, exports amounted to €220 billion, of which Enterprise Ireland-backed companies accounted for €20 billion. That is welcome news. We will keep pushing to ensure we do the best for Ireland. IDA Ireland is seeking more money to develop sites. In the programme for Government, €200 million is earmarked for IDA Ireland...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: If a Deputy believes it would be good for me, as Minister, to accompany the IDA or Enterprise Ireland on a site visit, I would be more than happy to do so. It is my job to ensure we get the best jobs we can for our country.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There are 2 million people working.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Yes.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: We are here to examine expenditure. However, I believe there is probably a day when the committee could invite me over to talk about the quality of jobs. I understand-----

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 32 - Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised) (21 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It is, but not today. We are going through the budget for 2016 for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It amounts to €802 million and we are being questioned on that.