Results 2,321-2,340 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The proposed EU-US free trade agreement is one of a number of new style trade agreements the EU is negotiating that not only covers tariffs, services and investment but also includes regulatory coherence and cooperation. An agreement would be the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment deal, and a successful conclusion is expected to benefit Ireland more than any other EU...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Unemployment Levels (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The unemployment rate for the Border region, which encompasses the North West, has fallen from a peak of 15.6% in Q1 2013 to 8.6% in early 2016 – marginally above the State average of 8.4%. Whilst numbers are decreasing we still have a body of work to do for regional and rural Ireland. The North East/ North West Action Plan for Jobs aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs to Sligo,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There are 16 IDA Ireland client companies currently in Westmeath, employing approximately 2,300 people. In 2015, 212 new foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs were created in the county. IDA Ireland actively engages with its existing client base in Westmeath which has, as the above statistics reflect, performed consistently in recent years. A good example of positive investment into the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation Targets (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Action Plan for Jobs is one of the Government's key instruments to support job creation. Since the launch of the first Plan in 2012, 155,000 more people are in employment in all manufacturing and services sectors. The Programme for a Partnership Government sets our ambition to help create 200,000 additional jobs by 2020. 135,000 of these jobs are to be outside Dublin. We also want to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On 5 July 2016, the Commission published its proposals for signature, conclusion and provisional application of CETA, which are available on the EU Commission’s website (www.trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1524). Given the position taken by Ireland and other Member States, I note that the Commission has now decided to submit CETA to the Council for decision as a mixed...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Export Controls (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I can confirm that my Department did not issue any licences for the export of military list items to Israel in 2015. All export licence applications are considered having regard to EU sanctions. There are currently no sanctions in place in relation to Israel. Should an application for a licence for the export of military list items to Israel be received, it would be considered against the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On 14 July 2016, the EU Commission published its textual proposal on provisions for the climate change aspects of the TTIP trade and sustainable development chapter. The proposal is available on the EU Commissions website (www.trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/july/tradoc_154800. pdf). Encouraging green innovation & trade in green technologies are two key areas of the chapter....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement will be the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment deal, and a successful pact is expected to benefit Ireland more than any other EU Member State. It is very important to Ireland as it will build on our already rewarding economic relationship with the US and create new opportunities to stimulate growth, create...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Supports (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: IDA Ireland markets Co. Tipperary is in accordance with the regionalisation arrangements negotiated by Government for Eurostat and EU Structural Funds purposes. The geographic remit of the regions is defined by the Local Government Acts of 1991 and . This arrangement places Tipperary South as part of the South East Region and Tipperary North as part of the Mid-West Region. There has been...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Skills Development (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Reflecting the importance of the Hospitality sector to the economy, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) completed a review of the future skill needs of the sector, entitled 'Assessment of Future Skills Requirements in the Hospitality Sector in Ireland, 2014-2020' which was published in November 2015. A National Oversight and Advisory Grouphas been established and met on several...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: UK Referendum on EU Membership (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Government has a clear plan in place to respond to the referendum outcome and has a Contingency Framework which maps the key issues that will be most important to Ireland in the coming weeks, months and years, including the future changing trading relationship between the UK and Ireland. A summary of the key actions that will be taken to address the contingencies arising from the UK’s...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Relations Services Staff (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015, and has responsibility for information provision, workplace advice, mediation, conciliation, adjudication, inspection and enforcement in relation to employment rights, equality and equal status matters and industrial relations. The WRC assumed the roles and functions previously...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Personal Injury Claims (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is an independent statutory agency charged with assessing claims for compensation arising from personal injuries sustained as a result of a motor, workplace or public liability accident and where both parties, claimant and respondent, consent to an assessment. It is a matter for the parties concerned whether or not they wish to accept the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I share the Deputy’s concern in relation to the recent developments at that company, where job losses were announced last month. IDA Ireland is engaging with the company so that it can develop a skills profile of the affected workers and will aim to match them with other potential employers. I have asked both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to redouble their efforts to secure...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Initiatives (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Section 4.1 C) of the Programme for Partnership Government provides for a commitment to implement regional jobs plans, with local input, to help spread growth to all areas. 4.1 C) also provides that Local Enterprise Offices will be mandated to set county-specific targets on job creation. I am fully committed to ensuring that the 8 Regional Action Plans for Jobs deliver on the ambitious...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices Remit (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland are the main Agencies within my Department that offer advice and support to indigenous companies. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ State support service for micro and small businesses in each local area. The LEOs provide advice and guidance, covering all government supports and requirements, to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together. The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) is a new generation agreement that will remove over 99% of tariffs between the EU and Canada and will create sizeable new market access opportunities in services and investment. It will end limitations in access to public contracts, open-up services market, and offer...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland are the main Agencies within my Department that offer advice and support to indigenous companies. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ State support service for micro and small businesses in each local area. The LEOs provide advice and direction, covering all government supports and requirements, to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 458 together. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) continues to be a key contributor to Ireland’s economic development and growth. One-in-five private sector jobs in the economy result from IDA Ireland-supported FDI, both directly and indirectly, and represent a vital economic contribution by the multinational sector. 2015 saw the highest level of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Skills Shortages (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department works closely with the indigenous and overseas enterprises, development agencies, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Education and Skills on monitoring skills availability and skill needs and ensuring that those on the live register are best placed to take up job opportunities as the economy recovers. We are working closely to achieve an unemployment rate...