Results 4,481-4,500 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Representations were received by both myself and my Department regarding certification issues earlier this Autumn. FÁS is dealing with the findings of an internal audit report relating to the issues concerned.

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together. Consumer Price Index returns from the Central Statistics Office show that overall prices in Ireland fell by 6.5% in the year to September 2009. This compares with a fall of only 1.4 % in the UK for the same period. At the European level, the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which is accepted as the most appropriate measure for...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: While ultimately it is individual businesses that must take advantage of global markets, it is the responsibility of my Department to foster the conditions which can support Irish enterprise in meeting these global challenges and opportunities and to ensure that no barriers are placed in their way. It is critical that the broad business environment is conducive to improved export...

Written Answers — Employment Statistics: Employment Statistics (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 117 together. There are no official statistics which record job gains or losses in the wider economy. The Quarterly National Household Survey or QNHS published by the Central Statistics Office, records the numbers in employment on a quarterly basis only and shows only the net change in the numbers in employment. In the second quarter of 2009, the most...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Restoring Ireland's competitiveness and, in particular, cost competitiveness is a key priority for this Government and essential for sustaining and creating employment. Growing our exports is the only sustainable path to reduce unemployment and secure long term prosperity. In order to enable Irish exporters to compete successfully in global markets, we need to increase productive investment...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: In general the groups, bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department are accountable to me as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the Oireachtas for expenditure incurred throughout the year. The principles of Government accounting are mainly derived from the Constitution, and from the institutions and financial relationships between the Oireachtas and the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The table below lists the Offices, agencies, and other bodies and groups currently under the aegis of my Department. The funding allocated to each of these entities by my Department between 2004 and 2009 inclusive is also provided. The allocations include Exchequer funding and, where appropriate, National Training Fund monies. Some of the agencies also receive funding from other sources,...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. Restoring Ireland's cost competitiveness has been a priority for the Government. Over the past few months we have seen significant downward pressure on costs and on prices generally. Following significant energy price reductions in May 2009, from this October there has been significant reduction in gas prices and a modest reduction in...

Pension Provisions. (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The valuation figures for the FÁS closed superannuation scheme, which solely covers former AnCo staff, as at 31 December 2008 are the following; the market value of pension fund assets is €328 million; and the present value of pension liabilities is €631 million, which leaves a deficit in the FÁS pension fund of €303 million. The valuation has been prepared by a qualified independent...

Pension Provisions. (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is important to reiterate that this scheme only refers to former AnCo staff and not to the person referred to by the Deputy. The deficit in the FÁS pension fund is €303 million and that is made up of a market value of fund assets of €328 million and liabilities of €631 million. We are all aware of difficulties in pension funds and it was on such a basis that the Department of...

Pension Provisions. (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I appreciate that the Deputy is trying to introduce an element that has nothing to do with the question but that is beside the point. We are discussing AnCo.

Pension Provisions. (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: More than 95% of the non-commercial semi-State pensions are now operating on a pay-as-you-go basis, which is very significant. It is appropriate to say that we had separate pension schemes and funds, as well as separate actuarial staff and fund managers looking after this. The Government decided that the best way to address those costs and centrally manage them was under the National...

Employment Levels. (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I note the publication of the latest FÁS quarterly labour market review for autumn 2009, published last Wednesday. It highlights the increase which has occurred in youth unemployment as evidenced by the latest quarterly national household survey, QNHS, and live register statistics. According to the QNHS at the end of the second quarter the unemployment rate for the age group 20-24 years of...

Employment Levels. (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: None of us disagrees with the absolute necessity to ensure that young people are interfacing with the labour market, which is hugely important. That is why our investment and activation programmes have a specific focus on young people. The youth framework that has been developed following consultation with the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, is distinctly looking at the needs of...

Employment Levels. (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We agree with what the Deputy has said. It is on that basis that we will change the scheme. The Minister, Deputy Hanafin, has facilitated us in the context of volunteerism, for example. She has changed the rules so that one no longer has to be continually available for and genuinely seeking work, which is an issue raised by the voluntary sector. The Deputy was right in what he said about...

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We have had a considerable period of time to debate the legislation. In this House we had 86 hours of debate and in the Seanad we had 36 hours of debate. In the context of what we would like to achieve, which is the completion of this legislation as a matter of urgency, which was urged by the Commissioner when he was here recently, I propose the motion.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I share Deputy Hogan's delight in the release of Fr. Michael Sinnott. I thank those who have helped to ensure his release, including in particular my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and our ambassadors. Fr. Sinnott's family is certainly relieved that he is free and it was wonderful to see him in such good fettle despite his captivity. Our officials are liaising with his family...

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On the Defamation Act, which has been passed, the Minister has indicated he will commence it very shortly.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I will revert to the Deputy in due course on the date for the Committee Stage debate.

Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The debate will take place on Tuesday week, as agreed by the party spokespersons. There is not yet a date for publication of the animal and welfare legislation.