Results 3,401-3,420 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Regulations to bring the Services Directive [Directive 2006/123/EC] into law are well advanced. My Department is working with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel with a view to completing the legislation as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Functions: Departmental Functions (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is a matter in the first instance for An Taoiseach to determine the structures and functions of individual Departments of State. Ministers, when appointed to Departments of State, are then responsible for policy determination and the performance of the functions that are assigned to their Department. In that regard, my current policy priorities are centred on creating the right policy...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: FÁS has already put in place the following measures in place to assist redundant apprentices who have to complete both on and off -the-job work training plus assessments in order to complete their apprenticeships: 1. FÁS has put in place an interim measure whereby redundant apprentices may progress to the next off-the-job training phase of their apprenticeship, in line with current...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Last Tuesday, 2nd March, I launched "Horizon 2020", IDA Ireland's Strategy for the period to 2020, which shows the way forward for Ireland to achieve ambitious goals for Foreign Direct Investment and to create the maximum amount of high-quality Irish jobs for the greatest number of our people. In the current circumstances, a vibrant and growing Foreign Direct Investment sector remains...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Kerry has traditionally been a centre of manufacturing for foreign direct investment, However over recent years it has proved challenging to maintain and attract overseas manufacturing companies into the County as much of this investment globally is going to low cost destinations such as Eastern and Central Europe and China. As a result of this shift in global manufacturing, Kerry has seen a...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy, himself, will be aware, however, that the views of the organization concerned are not shared by retailers. Indeed there are marked differences between the various stakeholders in the food supply chain as to where the balance of power in the sector lies. The Government for its part is concerned that there should be a measure of...

Written Answers — International Trade: International Trade (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Government's Asia Strategy operated for the period 1999 – 2009 and has been very successful in developing Ireland's Trade and other links with the key Asian economies. Ireland's exports to the eight priority countries of the final phase of that Strategy have risen from €4.0bn in 1999, to €10.3bn in 2008, well ahead of the target of €9bn, set for 2009. Full year export data for...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The structure and role of FÁS, like that of other Agencies and of my Department, is kept continually under review to ensure that it meets the needs of current circumstances.

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In accordance with the Government Decision of 19 May 2009 all central Government Departments are required to pay their business suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. These Departments are also required to report quarterly to my Department on their performance in meeting this target. The first returns by Departments covered the period 15 June to 30 September 2009 and were...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The report referred to by the Deputy identifies procedural deficiencies in financial controls and governance in FÁS. However, it is important to point out that it also concludes that transactions processed were, in the vast majority of cases, for the benefit of the Agency, and that transactions comprised in its annual accounts were properly chargeable for its objectives. I have sought and...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I have asked the State Agencies under the remit of my Department to engage as a matter of urgency with the workers concerned.

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I understand from IDA Ireland that the jobs involved in this case were not in the internationally traded services category and that IDA did not have dealings with the Bank in relation to the jobs. Regulatory and other public policy matters in relation to domestic banking operations in Ireland are within the remit of the Minister for Finance. Should any issues arise for my Department from...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 93 and 136 together. The Government recognises that unemployment is a major problem impacting on every county in Ireland. It is a problem that is affecting both rural and urban society. Due to the severe downturn in the construction sector I am also very aware that unemployment is having a disproportionate impact on young men. Two thirds of those signing...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 99 together. The recent Live Register statistics for February showed that 436,956 people were signing on. It is important to say that of these 275,475 (63%) were signing on the Live Register on a full week basis representing an unemployment rate of 7.9%. While this remains far too high it should also be noted that it represented a month on month...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I would refer the Deputy to the detailed reply given to PQ No.63 in today's Order Paper. I will be glad to discuss the issues raised directly with the Deputy.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Apprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme for employed people aimed at developing the skills of the apprentice to meet the needs of industry and of the labour market. The number of apprentices registered in the month of January 2010 was 82, and 119 apprentices were registered by employers for the month of February 2010. The current level of registrations is in...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Due to industrial action it is not possible to provide the information requested.

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland has consistently been regarded amongst the most competitive economies in the world for supporting enterprise. Reports such as the 'IBM Global Location Trends Annual Report 2009' that was published in October of last year ranked Ireland 1st for attracting FDI on a per capita basis. They listed our key strengths in services and R&D as the reason for topping the list. Similarly, the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My most recent contacts with Ryanair were a meeting I had with its CEO Mr Michael O'Leary on Tuesday 16 February, followed by a letter I wrote to Mr O'Leary on 18 February and letters I received from him on 19 February and 25 February. Mr O'Leary also responded on 19 February to a letter of 18 February from Shannon Development, one of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, which...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The total number of staff employed in my Department on 1 March 2010 was 988.62 (full time equivalents). The following Business Units of my Department deal with labour market issues: Labour Force Development Division Employment and Training Strategy Policy Unit on Employment European Social Fund Policy & Operations Labour Market Policy Work Permits Employment Rights & Industrial Relations ·...