Results 20,221-20,240 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Irish National Accreditation Board (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) is Irelands national accreditation body appointed under EU Regulation 765/2008. INAB was established in 1985. Following the dissolution of Forfás in June 2014, INAB, which has statutory independence, became part of the Health and Safety Authority for administrative purposes. INAB is the national body with responsibility for the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The economy is in a strong position having recovered impressively from the financial crisis and the subsequent recession. At its peak in early 2012, the unemployment rate was 16% and almost 50,000 Irish people emigrated that year. Currently, the unemployment rate is down to 5.3% in September 2019 and there are more people employed in Ireland than ever before. Since the launch of the first...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Organisational reforms in the ODCE were commenced in 2012 to enhance the capability of the Office to investigate complex breaches of company law and to ensure a more efficient and effective use of its resources.  These include: - Reorganising the structure of the Office; - Recruiting additional expertise, including 8 Forensic Accountants, a Digital Forensic Specialist, 2 Enforcement...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Common Commercial Policy, including trade, is an exclusive competence of the European Union under the EU Treaties. The European Commission acts as lead negotiator on behalf of all EU countries in relation to trade agreements with non-EU countries. Member States, in Council, approve negotiating directives (or mandates) before negotiations begin, are consulted with as the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Since 2016, my Department has worked with the enterprise development agencies, businesses and representative bodies to ensure we have the appropriate mix of supports for businesses to prepare and manage through whatever Brexit we may face over the coming period.  The most immediate consequences of a hard Brexit are likely to be currency movements, supply chain constraints,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Capital Expenditure Programme (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I would advise the Deputy that my Department does not provide any direct funding to support State infrastructure projects. Capital expenditure by my Department is mainly by way of grants to support the multi-annual capital investment programmes of our Enterprise Development and Innovation Agencies.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department and its agencies have put in place extensive supports, schemes and advisory resources to ensure that businesses nationwide are prepared for Brexit. While we cannot yet know the form that Brexit will take, these measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and practical preparatory actions regardless of the circumstances of the UK’s withdrawal from the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Jobs Data (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Regional development has been a top priority of mine ever since becoming Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Together with my Department and its enterprise Agencies, I have been focused on strengthening investment and job creation all over the country. That was the case in 2018 and 2019 and our collective emphasis on regional development will continue in 2020. With...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Regional Enterprise Development Fund Data (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) is a competitive Fund that has been introduced to co-finance the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative enterprise projects that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the regions so as to help sustain and add to employment at county, regional and national level. The Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: State Aid (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has been working closely with the EU Commission and DG Competition since November 2017 through the Irish/EU Technical Working Group on State Aid.  The Group comprises representatives from DG Comp, my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Enterprise Ireland.  The objective of the Group has been to scope and design schemes to support...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Data (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within Ireland and other EEA states.  Where specific skills prove difficult to source within Ireland and the EEA, the employment permits system offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy led system. As at 24th September...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department and its agencies are working hard to support small businesses to give them the tools and assistance they need to grow and flourish. Regional development is a key priority of the Government and I am focused on supporting and sustaining existing employment levels while also working to create new economic opportunities and jobs in the regions, including Co....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: As the nature of the UK's departure from the EU still remains to be determined, Brexit continues to represent a significant challenge for businesses in Ireland, one which cannot be underestimated. That is why my Department and its agencies have put in place extensive supports, schemes and advisory resources to ensure that businesses around the country are prepared for Brexit. These measures...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Meetings (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I am not aware of any such meetings or interactions between officials of my Department or the IDA with multinational firms in relation to this. Regarding housing, the well-documented challenges we have faced in increasing our supply are complex and multifaceted. It is important to emphasise that these difficulties are not attributable to overseas firms or the jobs they...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Expenditure (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Administrative subhead Ad3 of my Department’s Vote covers expenditure relating to Learning and Development and Incidental Expenses. The Incidental Expenses heading covers a very broad range of areas with the primary areas incurring expenditure during 2018 relating to: - Health and safety related costs including certain furniture, cleaning equipment, clothing and materials. -...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tourism Industry (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Reply awaited

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Apprenticeship Programmes (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 to 81, inclusive, together. As Minster for Business, Enterprise and Innovation I am very interested in the development of an efficient and effective apprenticeship system that serves the needs of both enterprise and apprentices. I fully support the development of the apprenticeship system on an ongoing basis as a means of providing for the broad...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Bodies Reports (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: In 2015 the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs published an Assessment of Future Skills Requirements in the Hospitality Sector in Ireland. In the years following the publication of this report the secretariat of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, based in my Department, acted as secretariat to the Hospitality Skills Oversight Group, which was tasked with implementing the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: On 6 October 2004 the United States requested consultations, in line with WTO procedures, with the governments of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain, and with the European Commission concerning measures affecting trade in large civil aircraft. The US concern was that Airbus were receiving unfair subsidies from these Member States regarding the production of its civilian aircraft...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Preparations (9 Oct 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Innovation and Technology plays an important role in the development of Irish enterprise for both new businesses getting started and established companies wishing to continue to grow and expand. Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) are essential components of a company’s ability to maintain its competitiveness, its employment levels and be resilient to withstand the challenges...