Results 21,361-21,380 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Proposed Legislation (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: On 12 June 2018, the Government approved the drafting of the Unfair Contract Terms (Gift Vouchers) Bill 2018. The Bill provides, first, that gift vouchers must be valid for a minimum term of five years and, secondly, that the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, would have power to set fees for the issue and replacement of gift vouchers and for inactive balances on gift vouchers...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Company Law (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Receivership is a remedy that derives from courts of equity. The relevant law in relation to receivership is largely made up of rules which the courts have developed by applying general contract law and equitable principles. Receivers are appointed under a relevant security e.g. a mortgage or a charge which contains the contractual terms in relation to their appointment and their powers...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Applications (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The Employment Permits section of my Department inform me that an application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit for the person concerned was received on 29th November 2018. The Employment Permits section is experiencing high levels of demand for employment permits this year and this has contributed to increased processing times for applications.  At end November 2018, 15,550...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Copyright Infringement (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: On 14 September 2016, the EU Commission published a package of copyright reform proposals as part of its Digital Single Market strategy. This included a Directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market (hereinafter the “Copyright Directive”). The intention of the Directive is to craft modern copyright legislation suitable for all European citizens. Among the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Site Visits (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: IDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in all counties of Ireland to its client base. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as almost 70% of all...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Regional Enterprise Development Fund (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) represents part of my Department’s commitment to stimulating economic growth throughout the regions. The overall aim of the REDF is to support every region to build on its unique strengths and ultimately create sustainable jobs. Collaboration is at its core – among the public and private sectors, within and across regions. The REDF...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Offices (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: As part of its €150m Regional Property Programme the IDA is directly investing in a building programme to help ensure property solutions are in place for overseas companies considering investing or expanding, thereby encouraging more foreign direct investment in regional locations. This programme includes the construction of an Advance Technology Building (ATB) in Carlow. I...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware Brexit is a priority issue for this Government. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, my cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities.  Of course negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Staff Data (11 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 to 270, inclusive together. Staffing resources are an ongoing priority to ensure my Department’s continued ability to facilitate the wide mission and volume of work in a range of challenging policy areas. This will continue with ongoing day-to-day review of the appropriate staffing mix across my Department in response to known and probable priority...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Reports (6 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has prepared one post enactment report during the period in question, set out as follows. Name of Act Date of Publication of Post Enactment Report on Oireachtas Website Competition (Amendment) Act 2017 (No. 12 of 2018) 28 August 2018

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Legislative Measures (6 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: A list of all legislation since March 2011 that my Department is responsible for is available on my Department's website at the following address: .

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Schemes (6 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: My Department’s Vote provides funding in the way of Grants and also to fund a number of discrete Schemes. Grants in the main are provided to support the operating costs and other expenses of the statutorily established State Agencies who operate under the aegis of the Department. The funding provided to the Grants and Schemes supported under the Department’s Vote is subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Discrimination (6 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Lead responsibility for the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality and any steps being taken to reduce inequality in the workplace would be a policy matter for the Minister and his Department. The Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015 that fall under the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality, outlaw discrimination at work...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 32 - Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Chairman for giving me the opportunity to present to the select committee my Department's Supplementary Estimate for 2018. I convey the apologies of my colleagues, the Ministers of State, Deputies Halligan and Breen, who, unfortunately, cannot attend owing to other engagements. I understand my officials have provided the committee secretariat with a briefing note which sets...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 32 - Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: We increased the 2018 budget to employ almost 100 extra staff members between the two agencies. They have got more boots on the ground, mainly abroad because they are looking for new markets. Enterprise Ireland is seeking out new markets and IDA Ireland is looking for new opportunities. There are opportunities arising from Brexit, although there are a lot of downsides. We have more boots...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 32 - Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: We now have a working capital facility, which is a €300 million fund. We are putting the money aside to provide for the €300 million long-term loan, which will be loaned over terms from eight to ten years. First of all, borrowers must apply to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI, to see if they are eligible. They will receive an answer to that in a turnaround...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 32 - Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: We will do. Members might have heard the radio campaign advertising the €300 million working capital facility. That has a three-year term, and really acts as an overdraft facility. It has a 4% interest rate. We did a good bit of advertising for that, and we will do the same for this long-term scheme. I will send the Deputies notice of this scheme whenever it is approved. We have...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 32 - Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: This year it will be based on the commitments that they have. The offices have indicated where they can spend this money before the end of the year. Next year I have increased the budget by €5 million, and I will ask them to come forward with proposals at that stage on a competitive basis. We must ensure the money is spent well. The local enterprise offices have performed really...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 32 - Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. He referred to Enterprise Ireland's 10% level of equity in businesses and it is a policy decision because we do not want to crowd out other investors. It is working well and if Enterprise Ireland felt at any stage that it wanted to increase the level, it would be fair enough and its representatives could come talk to us. We would certainly look at it. Currently there...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 32 - Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Heather Humphreys: We are doing that.