Results 21,681-21,700 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Personal Injuries Commission (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The Government believes it is important that consumers and businesses can obtain insurance cover at a reasonable and fair price. The cost of insurance is an issue of concern for consumers, businesses and community groups. The Minister for Finance established the cost of insurance working group in 2016 to examine the factors contributing to the increasing cost of insurance and identify what...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: We are conscious of the issue of competitiveness. Enormous progress has been made in recent years. We have stabilised the public finances. We also have the fastest growing economy in Europe and are now almost at full employment. We should be proud of the progress we have made. However, the Government is determined to ensure there will be no complacency. We are acutely aware of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The supply and demand for credit have improved significantly since the height of the crisis. However, the cost of credit, while falling, continues to remain relatively high. It is vital that it be reduced to align Ireland with rates in competitor countries. The divergence between Irish and eurozone interest rates for enterprise is particularly noticeable in the case of loans up to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Supports (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The agencies within my remit have an extensive range of supports available to enable companies to prepare for Brexit. For 2019 I am allocating an extra €8 million to the enterprise agencies and regulatory bodies under my Department for various Brexit supports, as well as to continue driving export diversification. I am allocating an additional €5 million for the local...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. Ireland’s overall competitiveness performance remains positive. Our improved fiscal position and increased cost competitiveness have all contributed to Ireland’s improved international competitiveness. This improvement is reflected in a range of metrics, notably economic growth, increased employment, falling unemployment and a strong...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Climate Change Policy (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I am very much aware that climate change represents a significant challenge for our economy and society. My Department’s vision is to make Ireland the best place to succeed in business, delivering sustainable full employment and higher standards of living across all regions of the country. My Department incorporates climate action into policy making; funds research related to climate...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Since becoming Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made jobs and enterprise in the regions my top priority. Enterprise development has been central to our success in reducing unemployment from a high of 16% to 5.4% at the end of September - the lowest level in over a decade. The Midlands has seen good progress, with employment in the region increasing by 14% from Q1...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Gender Balance (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: My Department strongly supports gender balance and is represented on the Government's 'Better Balance for Business Review Group'. In terms of board membership of agencies, I take a particular interest in achieving strong gender balance. The agencies under the remit of my Department operate a range of programmes which provide funding to companies and research projects in line with their...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Arms Trade (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The EU operates a robust export control framework intended to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to support regional stability and to protect human rights. My Department is responsible for implementing EU controls on the export of dual-use items and military equipment from Ireland as part of this framework. My Department is also responsible for implementing EU and UN...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be impacted by Brexit and meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding (€14 million from my Department and €9 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) has been leveraged to provide a fund of up to €300...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Competitiveness (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Notwithstanding our strong economic growth, addressing Ireland’s cost competitiveness remains a key economic priority for Government and we continue to monitor Ireland's cost base and analyse the factors that are crucial to improving our cost competitiveness. The Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2018 Report, and the Ireland’s Competitiveness Scorecard 2018, published by...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Proposed Legislation (18 Oct 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: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Brexit is undoubtedly the most significant challenge facing Irish enterprise in over 50 years. For 2019, I am allocating an extra €8m to the enterprise agencies and regulatory bodies under my Department, who work with firms at the coalface to develop their supports for business, including those based in County Kildare. I also announced a longer term loan facility of up to €300m...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Retail Sector (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: As Chair of the Retail Consultation Forum I am committed to understanding and supporting the needs of the retail sector. My Department established and convenes the Retail Consultation Forum to enable key issues affecting the retail sector to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by Government, or by industry itself, to support sustainable jobs growth...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I am very conscious of the potential exposure of the Border counties to Brexit and the deep links with local economies on both sides of the Border. The agencies under my remit have an extensive range of supports available to enable companies to both consolidate market share and continue to pursue new opportunities to grow their market presence within the UK. In Budget 2019, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices Remit (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: My priority as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is to drive the creation of high-quality and sustainable jobs around all the regions and Counties of Ireland. In our Budget, this Government has set a clear focus on regional jobs and investment, innovation and building resilience to potential Brexit shocks. In that regard,I have allocated additional funding of €5...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 37 together. I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation have the statutory power to seek information from the Director of Corporate Enforcement about the performance of the Director’s functions under section 955(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2014. However, this statutory power does not extend to the publication of such information. ...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Growth Initiatives (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Since the first publication of the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, Ireland's economy has performed stronger than we thought possible at that time. Unemployment has reduced from a high of almost 16% to 5.4% in September 2018, according to the latest monthly unemployment figures from the CSO. In March of this year, my Department published Enterprise 2025 Renewed. This involved reviewing our...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Arms Trade (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is responsible for controls on the export of military and dual use items from Ireland. Under Irish law, military export licences must be sought in respect of the goods and technology, and any components thereof, listed in the Annex to the Control of Exports (Brokering Activities, Goods and Technology) Order, S.I. Number 356 of 2018 which reflects the EU Common Military...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Reports (18 Oct 2018)

Heather Humphreys: On 4 July 2017, a motion was passed by Dáil Éireann which called on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to ask the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to report on the operation of the household waste collection market. Following a formal request on 25 September 2017 from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment,...