Results 1,821-1,840 of 6,431 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Closures (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: On 6 July I submitted a report to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to further inform the Government on the issues surrounding the sale and liquidation of Clerys. I also briefed my Government colleagues on the report, a copy of which is available on my Department’s website. It sets out the sequence of events leading up to the closure on 12 June based on the information then...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Closures (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: The various proposals made by ICTU generally relate to company law and the conduct of directors. I know that ICTU representatives have met my ministerial colleague, Deputy Richard Bruton, in that regard. It is worth making the point, however, that the report I published in a timely fashion after the closure of Clerys and the related events takes that issue very seriously. It suggested, as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Closures (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I have a close personal interest, apart from a political interest, in how this matter evolves. I expect that, given my interest in the issue and that of the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, the ODCE will keep us informed. There is a huge amount of public interest in this issue. Decisions will have to be taken by the Government and Departments on the next steps to be taken. It would be...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Deputy Pringle for tabling the question. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that yesterday afternoon, following a decision by Government yesterday morning, I published the study by the University of Limerick, UL, on the prevalence of zero-hour contracts and low-hour contracts in the Irish economy. This week, I will launch a public consultation process to give all interested parties...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: We are conscious of the role seasonal workers play in the economy, and we are also conscious of the opportunities required to be given to seasonal workers for work during periods of the year. I am sure the Deputy has had an opportunity to look at the report at some level over the past 24 hours. It is balanced and the UL's recommendations are independently provided and will be considered by...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: It is important to ensure protection for people and to acknowledge the needs of enterprises which are active during seasonal periods and provide work for people, which has been the case traditionally throughout the country.

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I appreciate what Deputy Pringle is saying. The opportunity will arise, of course-----

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: -----during the consultation process for people, including the Deputy, to contribute to the process.

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: This is an area we asked the UL to examine. The report states there is not extensive use of zero-hour contracts in Ireland. It is prevented by the provisions of the Working Time Act 1997, but it is important that our labour market policies, employment protection legislation and the regulatory environment keep up with evolving practices in industry. The UL identified the prevalence of what...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: We are conscious of this. The UL also acknowledged that because of the relatively recent evolution of "if and when" contracts this may very well require further work and further examination over the next period of time.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: The Deputy is asking about the terms of voluntary redundancy agreements in State Agencies. At the outset, I would point out that it is up to an individual, following consideration of the terms on which voluntary redundancy is being offered, to decide whether or not to avail of voluntary redundancy. I understand from my colleague with responsibility for terms and conditions in the public...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: x (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: At all times the Governments policy choices are considered in the context of the impact on jobs. This is at the heart of the Action Plan for Jobs process and has been a central feature of successive Budgets and The Pathways to Work programme. This level of policy focus has helped create an environment where 126,000 extra people are at work, all regions are increasing employment and our...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Living Wage (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: 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 course, it is not isolated from a State’s taxation and social support systems. So, at an individual level the resources required to achieve a minimum essential standard of living is very dependent on family circumstances and thus the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, yesterday afternoon, following a decision by Government, I published the study by the University of Limerick (UL) on the prevalence of zero hour contracts and low hour contracts in the Irish economy. I also launched a public consultation process to give all interested parties an opportunity to consider and respond to the conclusions being drawn in the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Living Wage (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: The introduction of the Living Wage Campaign is a voluntary initiative which I am championing. Over 120 employers, trade union representatives and civil society organisations gathered at Dublin Castle on 30 September to discuss the issues involved with both myself and the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D. participating. The Living Wage Campaign has been...

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (5 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (5 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Finance is the lifeblood of every business, a fact acknowledged in the programme for Government and in the actions this Government has taken since assuming office in March 2011. Enterprise needs finance for working capital and to feed investment, expansion, growth and jobs. In spite of recent progress, finance for business remains high on...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Minimum Wage (10 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: The principal function of the Low Pay Commission is, once each year, to examine the national minimum hourly rate of pay and to make a recommendation to the Minister respecting the rate. The Commission is also charged with submitting a report on the matters considered when making the recommendation. The Low Pay Commission structure is designed to ensure a balanced statutory minimum pay rate...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (11 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the consultation process has commenced. My Department has published on its website a consultation document to assist interested parties in making a written submission in response to the University of Limerick’s study. The consultation process runs for a period of eight weeks from Monday 9thNovember 2015 to Monday 4thJanuary 2016. In addition to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Defence Forces Reserve (11 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: Encouraging and facilitating suitable people to join the Reserve Defence Forces is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Defence and I have no plans to introduce legislation in this area.