Results 25,041-25,060 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) reports to me on costs and other competitiveness issues in all sectors of the Irish economy through its suite of reports, including the "Costs of Doing Business in Ireland" report. The latest report on Costs of Doing Business in Ireland, published in June 2011, found that the Irish economy continued to show an improvement in its competitiveness in...

Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: The agreed Programme for Government sets out clearly that Ireland's economic recovery must be export-led. That Programme commits us to achieve the maximum growth in exports, including the long-term development of new markets. The Government has given a commitment to progressively implement the recommendations in the strategy and action plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015,...

Ministerial Travel (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: On my recent trade mission to the south eastern states of the USA, involving a detailed programme of events in Atlanta, Georgia, Miami, Florida and Raleigh and Charlotte, both in North Carolina, I was accompanied by my private secretary and by one other official from my Department who has responsibility for trade matters. The net cost of this mission was approximately €49,000 and this was...

Ministerial Travel (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: On the contrary. The south eastern states of the United States have been designated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a key region for trade opportunities. The Department opened the first consular office in Georgia since 1933. The office supported me throughout the entire visit. The consul general is a very talented and expert person. We do not need to bring numbers in...

Ministerial Travel (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: That is the subject of a later question and I do not wish to upstage the Member who tabled it. In answer to the Deputy's query, it is a small number of officials. Enterprise Ireland undertakes much of the planning of these trade missions by organising an array of companies which are relevant to the development of trade opportunities in these target markets. We work with the diplomatic...

Business Supports (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. On a national basis, the jobs initiative announced on 10 May focuses our limited resources on...

Job Losses (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 88 together. There are many differing and complex factors that can influence a firm's decision to relocate in today's modern globalised economic environment. Companies adjust their plant and utilisation strategies to address matters such as accessing new markets, moving production nearer to customers, meeting firm or market specific customer...

Job Losses (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy is right, there is always a careful analysis of each closure, and the IDA seeks to work with companies to prevent that where possible. In many of these cases, however, the cost competitiveness comparisons are significant. This applies even to the UK. Over recent years there have been adverse cost comparisons between some Irish locations and some UK locations. Over the last two...

Job Losses (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: I do not want to be smart, but each case is different. For example, the work being done by TalkTalk, which is very much in the news, had dropped by something like 40% within the group. As a result, that fairly narrow range of services was no longer required, and the centre moved to another location because business, generally, was down. In other cases, one can seek to broaden the base of...

Job Protection (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: IDA Ireland engages with Aviva both here in Ireland and at its corporate headquarters in the UK to understand the company's strategy and business development needs and to win investment and jobs from the company for Ireland. The IDA regularly engages with companies that may be contemplating restructuring in order to help protect employment. This is the primary basis for the IDA's engagement...

Job Protection (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: They are different relationships. The IDA is an investment agency of the State which seeks to work with companies to anticipate challenges they might meet and deal with them through updating of skills, research and development investment and other means of assistance that might strengthen them. It is routine for the IDA to make contact with companies and, where the possibility of...

Job Protection (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: I assure the Deputy we are doing everything we can. As I indicated in my reply, Aviva has been restructuring its operations in the United Kingdom and Europe. In other words, the proposals regarding its Irish operations are part of a broader trend. There has been a huge collapse in the company's business in the Irish market and a review is now in train. The company is seeking to come to...

Employment Levels (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: The latest quarterly national household survey, published by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, on 15 September, shows that 1,823,200 people were in employment at the end of the fourth quarter 2010. At the end of the first quarter of 2011, 1,804,200 people were in employment. At the end of the second quarter of 2011, the numbers in employment had increased to 1,821,300. This increase of...

Employment Levels (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: With respect, the Deputy's original question related to the number of people at work and that is the data with which I provided him. I do not have to hand the percentages he is seeking on those out of work.

Employment Levels (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: I do not regard these figures as a cause for great adulation. However, in the past three years when the Deputy's party was in government, 350,000 jobs were lost. While the small increase of 17,000 jobs in the last quarter does not represent a source of great joy, it shows the labour market is stabilising. I am also encouraged by growth trends in exports and manufacturing output and other...

Employment Levels (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy is not correct as most forecasters are predicting a turnaround in employment. Growth projections are fragile and are very uncertain. The job trends are not evidence than the jobs initiative is not working. Up to 17,100 extra people are at work at the end of September compared to the end of June. The jobs initiative began in July, so the employment trends do not prove it has...

Employment Levels (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: All I am giving the Deputy is what he asked for in his question. I am not trying to be smart in pretending there are successes through some subterfuge. These figures are signs of a fragile recovery and need to be built on.

Job Protection (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: Aviva is undertaking a review of its operations in response to a significant reduction in demand for insurance and pensions products. Aviva has found it necessary to review its Irish operations to ensure its cost base is in line with domestic demand to ensure sustainability. Industry figures show that motor and home insurance has dropped by over 20% in the past two years. Also, life...

Job Protection (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: I understand and appreciate the anxiety of the company's staff. There has been much media speculation about this matter, which is one of great concern. I urge the company to consult with its staff. The review process is not yet complete according to my clear understanding from the company, but I see no reason for not engaging with staff. We are taking a proactive approach to this matter...

Job Protection (12 Oct 2011)

Richard Bruton: An application to the EGF would be premature at this stage. It depends on the content of any restructuring. For the fund to be involved, outsourcing beyond the EU would be required. I will not discuss a commercially sensitive matter, but the company has alerted us to some cost issues. We are attempting to assist it in that regard. This matter is not related to the upward-only rent review...