Results 2,141-2,160 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — Jobs for People with Disabilities: Jobs for People with Disabilities (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: "Mainstreaming", as defined in the Report by the Commission for the Status of People with Disabilities, relates to the systematic integration of people with disabilities into the open labour market; by actively creating conditions whereby people with disabilities can compete and operate in the labour market on an equitable basis. All FÁS vocational training is mainstreamed and people with...

Written Answers — Public Holidays: Public Holidays (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: I have no intention to create any new public holidays, to transfer existing public holidays to new dates or to downgrade or transfer the existing public holiday which falls on the first Monday in May.

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: The regulation of security companies is governed by the Private Security Services Act 2004. The use of exploitative employment practices which contradict existing employment agreements would be unacceptable in a modern industrial relations environment.

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and regulations made thereunder, which are administered and enforced by the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, require employers to identify the hazards arising in the workplace, assess the risks arising from those hazards and put in place appropriate elimination or control measures. The HSA advises that in accordance with risk assessment...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: We have a comprehensive body of employment rights legislation which has as its objective the protection of employees against arbitrary behaviour by employers, provision for the safety and health of workers and to foster labour market harmony by promoting policies that minimise conflict and maximise fairness. The full panoply of Irish employment law applies to all persons employed in Ireland,...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: I understand from FÁS that ex-prisoners qualify for the full range of FÁS services and at any given time a number of ex-prisoners attending FÁS courses may not be identified as such. In addition, the high support process has recently been extended to include ex-prisoners who would benefit from such support. The high support process is an inter-agency response for people who are remote from...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: As part of the "One Step Up" initiative implementing a key element of the Government's response to the enterprise strategy group's recommendations, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is funding a wide range of supports and services to raise the skill levels of those in employment. Over the period 2005 to 2007 funding for these supports and services will total over €150...

Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate. I am grateful in being facilitated in completing the debate tonight to ensure that the committee can deal with the matter during what is euphemistically referred to as the Christmas recess, which is a time when committees do an enormous amount of their work. I hope that we will be back for Report Stage in the Dáil early in the new year. All...

Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Employment Support Services. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: With regard to the cultural change which Deputy Ryan urges the Government to press on employers and able-bodied people, the Deputy and others should acknowledge that a magic wand cannot be waved with regard to employment of people with disabilities. Such employment is best achieved through the various initiatives and schemes to which the Government has been committed and on which FÁS has...

Employment Support Services. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: The most important element of the mainstreaming with regard to people with disabilities was in transferring this element of responsibility to FÁS, which clearly has responsibility in all the other areas of training and of placement of people in need of employment or training. That was the key decision, made in 2002. The rehabilitative and health-related issues have meanwhile been dealt with...

Employment Support Services. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: ——by having it dealt with by exactly the same people who deal with employment for people who do not have disabilities. It must be acknowledged on all sides that this is the only manner in which that could have been done, and it has already been achieved.

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: In 2004, labour inspectors undertook 462 inspections under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. So far this year the inspectorate has undertaken 407 inspections under the legislation. Rights commissioners of the Labour Relations Commission, a body independent of my Department, also hear complaints concerning breaches of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. A total of 19 employment regulation...

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: A significant number of labour inspections were carried out following the introduction of the national minimum wage to ensure employers were aware of its existence and of the necessity for compliance. There has been less of an emphasis in this regard in recent times because people are aware of the provisions of that Act. Difficulties were experienced in filling the 31 labour inspection posts....

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: Some 31 have been appointed.

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: I am not certain their training has finished. The Deputy will understand there is little point in appointing people without giving them the necessary training.

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: All 31 posts were filled in mid-October or early-November and a further training element was to be completed after that date. I can revert to the Deputy with the detail, but the inspection programme is under way. With regard to sectoral agreement, as with the minimum wage one of the requirements for the inspectorate is that the specific matter be brought to its attention. Equally important,...

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: With regard to sectoral agreements, the Deputy and the House are aware that a review of the joint labour committee is under way. It is clear there is less need for some of the sectoral agreements than previously. There are some sectors in which I would like to see new JLCs introduced, specifically for domestic workers and workers in some areas of the health sector. This is under consideration...

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: One could not escape the attention of the Kilkenny Deputies on the matter.

National Minimum Wage. (6 Dec 2005)

Tony Killeen: People are well aware that the issue arises from the date on which the increase in redundancy payments came into effect. On all occasions they come into effect at a particular time. No matter the date, some sectors win and some lose out.