Results 25,421-25,440 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Business Regulation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: I absolutely agree that we need to reform many areas in order to create employment. The Government is committed to reforming the legal system and introducing legislation on upward-only rent reviews. We have already cut employers' PRSI and VAT. In addition, we are committed to many other reforms that will facilitate employers to create jobs. We need to examine rates and the previous...

Business Regulation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: No. I have not mentioned the words "Croke Park agreement" in that context.

Business Regulation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: The previous Government committed in 2008 to reducing administrative burdens by 25% by 2012. The work to reduce administrative burdens on business in Ireland is being progressed on two fronts. The High Level Group on Business Regulation works to fast-track simplifications to specific red-tape issues identified by business. In addition, an interdepartmental group of officials from all...

Business Regulation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: When I assumed office, I was surprised to find how few hard facts had been assembled by the previous Government concerning a programme that was well under way and had started in 2008. I recognise, however, that there has been progress. The Revenue on-line system has been significant, but there is not the basic measurement matrix across each Department that would allow me to answer that...

Written Answers — Grocery Sector: Grocery Sector (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "enact the Fair Trade Act, which will ban a number of unfair trading practices in the retail sector such as 'hello money' which suppliers have to pay to secure a place for their goods on supermarket shelves". I recently received the report of the facilitator appointed to explore the possibility of drawing-up a voluntary code of...

Written Answers — Jobs Initiative: Jobs Initiative (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1The jobs initiative announced by the Government on 10 May includes a number of measures which will assist the retail sector. In particular, the commitment to halve employer's PRSI costs for those earning less than €356 per week will be of benefit, particularly given the part-time nature of many jobs in that sector. Also the reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9% which will apply to...

Written Answers — Jobs Initiative: Jobs Initiative (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1On 10 May, the Government launched a €500 million Jobs Initiative which has the objective of: - restoring confidence in the economy, both internationally and domestically, - supporting the maintenance of existing jobs, and facilitating the creation of new ones, - improving the business environment, and - assisting people to get back to work. The Initiative includes a range of measures...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1The Deputy will be aware that the issue of restructuring the CEBs has been in the public domain since the publication of the McCarthy Group Report under the last Administration. I should say that I am of the view that it is timely and appropriate to re-structure, and re-focus, how the State delivers its support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector as, after all, this Sector will be...

Written Answers — Wage-setting Mechanisms: Wage-setting Mechanisms (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1I have had no meeting with Commissioner Olli Rehn, who is the member of the European Commission with responsibility for economic and monetary affairs, since my appointment as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. I did have an opportunity, along with senior officials of my Department, to meet on 12 April with the combined staff teams from the European Commission, European Central...

Written Answers — Innovation Policy: Innovation Policy (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1The use of innovation has a crucial role to play in supporting economic recovery and in driving sustainable employment in the current environment. A wide range of programmes are being delivered by the Enterprise Agencies - IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, to promote innovation and give Irish enterprise a competitive edge in the global market place. Numerous...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1The Company Law Review Group (CLRG) gave in-depth consideration, over a period of 4 years, to the reform of partnership law, in particular to the possibility of introducing Limited Liability Partnerships for accountants and solicitors. In general, the CLRG did not find any strong tide of opinion running in favour of introducing Limited Liability Partnerships. However, the Group did say that...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 32 together. Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. It is only by creating the right environment for businesses to expand that we will see new jobs coming on stream. In this context, the objective of the Jobs Initiative announced on 10 May is to put policies in place to improve...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 2057In March 2010, IDA Ireland published 'Horizon 2020', its strategic blueprint for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland in the coming decade. FDI has been, and will continue to be, a key element in the export led recovery of the economy. 'Horizon 2020' sets out a compelling argument for the need for ongoing 'transformation' in our approach to secure leading FDI here in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1Since taking office on 9 March last, I have held meetings with sixteen employer and employee representative groups as detailed in the table below. Further meetings with these and other such representative groups will be scheduled as necessary as issues arise. Name of Employer / Employee Representative Group Date of meeting (include dates of planned meetings, if known) Details of meetings...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: 1The various EU State Aid regulations and frameworks set out the types of activities that can be supported by the Member States and stipulate the maximum percentage of eligible costs that can be aided. These ceilings vary according to the type of aid measure involved but typically allow higher rates of aid for small and medium sized enterprises. Most measures are horizontal and do not have...

Written Answers — Credit Guarantee Scheme: Credit Guarantee Scheme (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 43 together. As part of the Jobs Initiative announced in this House on, 10th May, both the Minister for Finance and I confirmed the Government commitment to initiating a tendering process for the development of a temporary partial credit guarantee scheme. The design of the scheme will draw from international experience to support new lending that would...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: The role of Government is not to create jobs directly, but to put in place the environment where businesses can prosper and generate jobs. In this context, the Jobs Initiative which was announced by the Government on 10th May will support the maintenance of existing jobs, as well as facilitating the creation of new ones. The Initiative includes a range of measures which will be taken across...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Jun 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. The Jobs Initiative announced on 10 May focuses our limited resources on measures that offer...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: The Government believes that our economic recovery will be export led and in this regard is fully committed to developing and expanding engagement with the key high potential markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The agreed Programme for Government commits us to achieve the maximum potential growth in exports, including the long-term development of new and emerging markets. In this...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (9 Jun 2011)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 102 together. I fully support the core elements of the European Union's new strategy for Jobs and Growth: Europe 2020 and its objectives to stimulate growth based on knowledge and innovation and a more sustainable and greener economy with high employment and social inclusion. These objectives are also broadly consistent with the Government's own...