Results 23,561-23,580 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: Supporting SME’s in the current difficult economic climate is a key Government priority. Government actions to relieve pressure on small and medium sized businesses in the domestic economy are set out in the Action Plan for Jobs published in February 2012 and reported on quarterly. The Action Plan for Jobs is improving the operating environment and supports for job-creating...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Joint Labour Committees Agreements (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012 was enacted on 24 July 2012 and commenced on 1 August 2012. The new Section 41A of Industrial Relations Act 1946 (inserted by Section 11 of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012) provides that the reviews of the JLCs will be carried out by the Labour Court, as soon as practicable after the commencement of the Act. The purpose of this...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Labour Market Issues (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: Labour market flexibility needs to be complemented by support to workers enabling them to make smooth transitions between different types of labour market status (e.g. activation measures for the unemployed, training for employment, work experience options, transitions towards self-employment, etc.). The quality of transitions will determine the quality of a worker's career and the smooth...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Initiatives (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: In accordance with the South East Employment Action Plan, which I initiated following the closure of the Talk Talk Call Centre, all the key State players are actively pursuing initiatives to facilitate development and job creation in the region. I travelled to Waterford in June last to meet the members of the South-East Forum and I was heartened to hear of the progress being made. ...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights Issues (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: The State has a significant body of employment rights legislation designed to protect workers. This legislation provides for certain statutory minimum rates of pay and conditions. The State provides a number of mechanisms through which these statutory employment rights can be vindicated and enforced. These are provided through the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), The Rights...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Action Plan for Jobs (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: There are two key elements to the Government’s strategy to address unemployment – the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. The Action Plan for Jobs has set the objective of supporting the creation of 100,000 new jobs in the economy by 2016 by transforming the operating environment for business, improving our competitiveness and building on our strengths in a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Action Plan for Jobs (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 sets out a range of measures designed to stimulate the economy and encourage employment growth. Reducing administrative burdens has the potential to deliver cost savings and efficiencies for businesses which will assist them in growing employment. This is a key focus for my Department and its Offices and Agencies. Significant progress has been made by my...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Joint Labour Committees Agreements (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: The most recent estimates of the number of workers covered by the JLC and REA systems were published in the 2011 Report of the Independent Review of Employment Regulations Orders and Registered Employment Agreement Wage Setting Mechanisms (the Duffy Walsh Report). Duffy Walsh estimated that there were between 151,539 and 204,724 workers in the sectors covered by JLCs in 2009. A breakdown by...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Job Numbers (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: Details of the number of jobs created by IDA Ireland’s client companies in Waterford compared to Limerick, Cork and Galway are set out in the tabular statement. In accordance with the South East Employment Action Plan, which I initiated following the closure of the Talk Talk Call Centre, all of the key State players are actively pursuing initiatives to facilitate development and job...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Public Sector Allowances (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: The following table sets out the list and the cost of all allowances that are currently being paid to staff in my Department. The rates of the allowances are sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and an annualised amount has been provided in each case where possible. In respect of some, a range of allowance payable has been provided (where the rates vary depending on...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Schemes (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: Enterprise Ireland launched a new competitive programme called the “Competitive Start Fund” in December 2010. The purpose of the Competitive Start Fund is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The Competitive Start Fund provides support of up to €50,000 in equity matched by €5,000 of promoters equity...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Properties (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: On its establishment in 1994, Forfás inherited responsibility for leases on Wilton Park House, Carrisbrook House and Knockmaun House, all of which properties are in Dublin. The latter two premises were surplus to State requirements and have been sublet for many years. Carrisbrook House was acquired by AnCO in 1969 on a 65 year full repairing lease commencing on 1st August 1969 and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Expenditure (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: The Industrial Development Agency (Ireland) “IDA” came into being on 1 January, 2004. Details of the Agency’s total annual expenditure are contained in the Financial Statements which are included in IDA’s Annual Report and Accounts for each year from 1994 to 2011. All these Reports have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and should be available in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: County and City Enterprise Boards Funding (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: As state agencies under the auspices of my Department, the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are funded primarily by the exchequer on an existing service level basis each year in line with the requirements of the public estimates process. Funding is broken down between capital and current expenditure. Capital expenditure covers Measure 1 activities i.e. direct grants to enterprises...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Job Numbers (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: Details of the number of IDA Ireland client companies located in County Wicklow in each of the last three years, 2009 to 2011, the number of people employed in those companies, as well as the number of new jobs created in IDA Ireland supported companies in the county are set out in the tabular statement. In accordance with its Horizon 2020 Strategy, IDA Ireland is aiming to create 63,000...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Mobile Telephone Chargers (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: I understand that in 2009 the European Commission obtained the agreement of Europe’s major mobile phone manufacturers to adopt, on a voluntary basis, a universal charger for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU. Subsequently, the European Standardisation Bodies, CEN-CENELEC and ETSI, following a mandate from the EU Commission, developed harmonised standards for the manufacture of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Council Meetings (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: My colleague the Minister for Social Protection, Ms Joan Burton TD, will represent Ireland at the forthcoming formal meeting of the Employment and Social Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Luxembourg on the 4 of October. She was recently invited by the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection to outline the business of the forthcoming EPSCO and to brief the Committee on her priorities for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ministerial Responsibilities (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: Minister Bruton and I are members of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs, which, inter alia, considers issues relating to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy. An official from my Department chairs the Interdepartmental Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, which reports to the Cabinet Committee and has overall responsibility for driving implementation...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Missions Participation (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: The nature of each trade mission is different depending on the specific sector focus and market being visited. Some missions may include initiatives or the signing of agreements relating to joint venture collaboration with Ireland on a range of activities such as research, innovation, or the provision of education services. Participation on missions is arranged so that the interests of those...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Media Mergers (2 Oct 2012)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together. In July 2011 the Government approved the draft heads of the Consumer and Competition Bill which, inter alia , gives effect to the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers in full with two amendments: - one sees the change in relevant Minister for public interest considerations from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and...