Results 22,801-22,820 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: At a macro level the Government’s strategy is to re-build the economy and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, jobs-rich economy based on enterprise, innovation and exports. It is in this way that we will create the environment in which sustainable jobs will be created, living standards will be raised and Ireland will be regarded as an attractive location in which to live and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Regulation (17 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: The Government recognises that small and medium sized companies are a key component of the Irish economy and the backbone of employment in Ireland. My Department and its agencies has already achieved a 25% reduction in administrative burdens on business, and continues to seek avenues to reduce burdens even further. The High Level Group on Business Regulation, which is chaired by my...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Corporate Governance (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: A liquidator may be removed by the court if it can be shown that the liquidator is not acting in the best interests of the liquidation. Under section 228 of the Companies Act 1963, in the case of a court ordered liquidation, a liquidator appointed by the court may be removed by the court on cause shown. In the case of a voluntary liquidation, pursuant to section 277 of the Companies Act...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Company Law (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: At the moment, my immediate priority in the company law area is to work for an early enactment of the Companies Bill 2012, which was published on the 21st of December last and is due to begin its passage through this House next week. Once on the statute book, the Companies Bill will introduce a modern company law code for Ireland and bring significant benefits to business. The Bill has been...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permit Applications (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Since 2004, Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the workforce of the European Economic Area (EEA). Current Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand for strategic skills and labour shortages in designated occupations in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Protection (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: The 2001 Tobacco Products Directive concerns the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products in the EU. Last December, following extensive consultation with stakeholders, including a public consultation, the European Commission published a proposal for a new EU Tobacco Products Directive. The proposal is currently being discussed and negotiated at the European Parliament and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation Numbers (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Details of the number of full time jobs existing, created and lost in IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies are set out in the tabular statements, which are drawn from the Forfás Annual Employment Survey. I am pleased to say that the Agencies’ End of Year Statements indicate that 2012 was a good year for job creation in Agency-supported companies. IDA client companies...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Appointments to State Boards (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Appointments to positions of Chief Executive Officer of State Agencies are a matter for the boards of the agencies concerned. I am satisfied that the current procedures for appointment of CEOs are appropriate having regard to the skills and qualifications required for the positions. In making such appointments agencies are required to comply with all aspects of employment law including...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation Numbers (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Microfinance Ireland (MFI) began operating in October 2012. At close of business on the 25th March 2013, 41 loans have been approved by MFI, which in turn support 112 jobs. Of these, 28 loans have been approved via the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) which support 75.5 jobs. It is my intention that progress reports on the Microenterprise Loan Fund will be published via the MFI...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Bodies (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Microfinance Ireland opened for business on 1st October 2012, and as of 11th April 2013, seven staff are employed by Microfinance Ireland (MFI). On the 22nd April a new systems and finance position will be filled bringing the total number of staff employed by MFI to 8. MFI also has an external assessor panel of ten credit assessors depending on application volumes so they can ensure a...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Reports (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: In order to deliver on a commitment in the Programme for Government which was further articulated in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, the Department commissioned a Feasibility Study to examine what structures and policies could be developed to make Ireland a world centre for managing and trading in intellectual property. Following a competitive procurement procedure, Deloitte was awarded the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ministerial Travel (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: This year saw the introduction of the Government’s Ministerial-led St. Patrick’s Day “Promote Ireland” Programme, which saw 19 Government Ministers travel to 21 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia for a series of trade, investment and tourism-focused programmes. Ministers participated in over 150 business-related events, 30+ high-level...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Graduate Support Schemes (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: The quality and talent of Irish graduates is one of the factors that has consistently made Ireland attractive for foreign direct investment. For indigenous Irish firms, also, talented graduates are crucial in the drive to develop innovative products and services and compete in an ever-changing market place. Through the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government is providing the basis for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: State Bodies Mergers (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Work on drafting the Consumer and Competition Bill is on-going and the Bill is included in the “A list” in the Government’s current Legislative Programme. In addition to merging the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, the Bill will, inter alia, update and reform competition law on foot a review of the operation and implementation of the Competition...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Property Portfolio (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: The management of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. IDA Ireland has informed me that it continues to promote its property portfolio in Arklow and Greystones, as well as other public and private parks in other locations in County Wicklow, in collaboration with the Enterprise staff in Wicklow...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Since the beginning of 2011, Enterprise Ireland (EI) has paid approximately €4.7m in support of companies in County Wicklow to help them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation and new product development in order that they can compete on world markets. In 2012, there were 3,339 people employed on a full time basis in the 177 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Renewable Energy Generation (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: The Ocean Energy Development Unit, established in Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in 2009, is charged with co-ordinating the relevant activities of State agencies and initiating other measures to promote and develop the sector. Companies in the early-stage development of ocean wave energy projects are assisted by the SEAI. Where appropriate, Enterprise Ireland will work with...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Appeals Tribunal (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations. The various pieces of legislation under which the Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear cases set out the time limits for initiating claims or appeals with the Tribunal. Under the Unfair Dismissal and the Redundancy Payments Acts the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: Significant changes to Departmental responsibility have occurred in recent years which place key activation, community employment, vocational training, placement services and other supports, including employer awareness and supports related to the employment of people with disabilities outside the remit of my Department. The employment and community employment services of FÁS...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: International Labour Conference (16 Apr 2013)

Richard Bruton: The 101st Session of the International Labour Conference, 2012 took place from 30th May – 14th June, 2012. The Irish Government sent a tripartite delegation to the Conference comprised of Government delegates and delegates from IBEC and ICTU. The following Committees took place during the ILC: Committee on the Application of Standards; Elaboration of an autonomous recommendation on...