Results 1,781-1,800 of 6,431 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Report Stage (14 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am glad to have the opportunity to address that particular point. Section 30 inserts, inter alia, section 5(4) to 5(8) in the Principal Act to provide guidance to the Labour Court in the context of considering whether to make a recommendation on a dispute and the procedures to follow in assessing whether the totality of the remuneration and conditions of employment of the workers concerned...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Report Stage (14 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Senators for their support and for the lively and robust debate we have had over recent weeks on the various Stages of the Bill. This is a very important step forward in industrial relations and fulfils a significant programme for Government commitment introduced by the Labour Party. I pay tribute to the former leader of the Labour Party, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Closures (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: We all agree that what has happened in Clerys is very shocking and quite appalling. Those who were directly employed by Clerys and the concession holders and their staff have been treated appallingly. The House will be aware that last week I submitted a report to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to further inform the Government on the issues surrounding the sale and liquidation of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Closures (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: Directors have responsibilities to their employees and it is questionable in this case whether these duties have been fulfilled, but that is not something we can settle here. There are very clear provisions in company law. I refer directly to sections 599 and 600. These provisions, taken together, refer to situations where a related company may be required, for example, to contribute to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Closures (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I referred to that matter in referring to the committee of inspection. This should happen. It is rare for the Department of Social Protection to be represented on such a committee, but in this case, given that, essentially, the Minister for Social Protection will become a preferred creditor when payments are made to staff who have been left high and dry because of this transaction, it is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Employment Rights (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I discuss these matters with the Tánaiste all the time. Irish employment rights legislation contains strong safeguards for part-time workers. The Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001, which is the main legislation governing the employment rights of part-time workers, implemented EU Council Directive 97/81/EC into Irish law. The purpose of the directive was to implement...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Employment Rights (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: The overarching point here is really about making work pay, ensuring people can access working hours that work for them and helping people to be financially independent. It is about much more than getting a weekly or monthly pay cheque; it is about the dignity of work and dignity at work and it is about making a contribution to society. The overarching principle informing the reforms that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Employment Rights (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: Despite the protestations of some people, we fully transposed the part-time workers directive a number of years ago in consultation with the social partners, including the trade unions, which were satisfied to sign off on it. Deputy Daly is studiously avoiding the fact that the economy has been transformed over the last couple of years. We need to be conscious that we have seen a decrease...

Other Questions: Construction Contracts (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank the Deputy for tabling the question. The Government is committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 and, as a consequence, last November approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to me as Minister of State with responsibility for business and employment. Significant work has taken place since then. I have recently...

Other Questions: Construction Contracts (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: This is an important provision under the Construction Contracts Act 2013 and I only received responsibility for it towards the end of last year. I proactively sought this responsibility because I see it as being critically important to the construction industry, an industry that has suffered over the past few years. It is particularly important for SMEs operating in the construction sector,...

Other Questions: Construction Contracts (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: There is little for me to add other than to say this is a priority and I have given it my full commitment. We need to get the right people for this important panel to ensure the aspirations underpinned by the legislation work for everyone involved. I hope it will be a swift process but it needs to be open and transparent. The Public Appointments Service process will take some time but I am...

Other Questions: Construction Contracts (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I believe so.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Advisory Group on Small Business Recommendations (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: As the Deputy is aware the purpose of the Advisory Group on Small Business (AGSB) is to give a greater voice in the development of policy to SMEs and to advise me as Minister on issues of relevance to SMEs. In addition to this, the Group provides on-going assistance and advice to relevant Government Departments and Agencies on any issues affecting SMEs by identifying those issues that impact...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Unfair Dismissals (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: The Deputy will understand that I cannot provide legal advice in relation to the law applying to any particular situation, or the interpretation of legislation. Independent legal advice should be sought if an individual has concerns about a specific employment situation. The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) provides general information on employment, equality & industrial...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Carers Strategy Implementation (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: The National Carers' 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 level. The Family...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Reports (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: In preparing the Request for Tender for the Zero Hours and Low Hours Study, it emerged that there is no commonly used definition of low hours work, or indeed a common understanding of what constitutes a Zero Hours Contract. This is evidenced by the difficulties which have been encountered in the UK in compiling official data on the prevalence of Zero Hours Contracts. The 8 hour contracts...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Carers Strategy Implementation (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: 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 level. The Family...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Living Wage (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I note that, in its latest report, the Living Wage Technical Group has calculated the Living Wage in Ireland for a single-adult household to be €11.50 per hour. The new figure represents an increase of 5 cent per hour over the 2014 rate. The Living Wage concept is grounded in the idea that a person's wage should be sufficient to maintain a safe, decent standard of living. Of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: In accordance with the Statement of Government priorities and following a competitive tendering process I have commissioned University of Limerick to undertake a study on the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts and the impact of such contracts on employees. The study has a broad scope, covering both the public and private sectors, with a particular focus on the retail,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Aviation Industry Regulations (15 Jul 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am aware of a study of atypical employment in the European aviation sector which was commissioned by the European Social partners in the aviation sector and which was published earlier this year. I understand from my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, who has responsibility for the aviation sector, that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has competence for...