Results 46,341-46,360 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: There are 89 staff in my Department who are provided with a BlackBerry device. A further 88 laptops have been assigned to staff which provide them with remote access to Departmental systems, including e-mail.

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: There are over 200 electronic databases in use throughout my Department. They support a variety of functions which range from small and uncomplicated databases (e.g. internal telephone directory) to large and complex corporate data repositories that support high volume processing (e.g. Patents Office Administration System). About ten electronic databases contain personal client information...

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Department of Finance's circular 16/97, my Department is obliged to report to the IT Vote Control Section of the Department of Finance on all significant ICT Projects it undertakes. This reporting requirement includes the provision of information regarding the projected cost, timescale and identifiable benefits to be achieved as a result of the implementation of any such project....

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The impact of carbon dioxide emissions caused by flights involving Ministers of the Department is not accounted for at present by my Department. However, the Department will take whatever steps are necessary to introduce a carbon offsetting scheme for official air travel when such a scheme has been developed and announced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department currently employs a suite of technologies aimed at ensuring that its IT systems and electronic data are protected against external attacks. Furthermore, my Department takes the view that ensuring high levels of information security is a task that requires ongoing and careful vigilance. To this end, my Department has recently completed a comprehensive information security review....

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: In response to this question, I am using the Nuts 111 definition of the Western region i.e. Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies under the Industrial Development Acts, I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together. IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am...

Written Answers — Management Information Framework System: Management Information Framework System (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Management Information Framework (MIF) system was introduced as part of the modernisation process in the public service. The key aim of the MIF is to provide improved financial and non-financial management information to enable better decision making and use of resources by Government Departments. The MIF system has demonstrated its effectiveness in my Department, for example, through...

Written Answers — Management Information Framework System: Management Information Framework System (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Management Information Framework (MIF) system was introduced as part of the modernisation process in the public service. The key aim of the MIF is to provide improved financial and non-financial information to managers to enable better decision making and use of resources by Government Departments. The MIF system has been rolled-out in my Department, although refinements will continue to...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that it is not in receipt of current applications for the above named. If applications are submitted, they will be treated on their merits and on a case-by-case basis.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The current National Development Plan provides for a step-change increase in the investment in technology, innovation and scientific research. It involves a commitment of €8.2 billion which is planned for the period 2007 to 2013 and aimed at building the skills needed for a modern knowledge-based economy and strengthening Ireland's research base. For 2008, under the Vote of my Department...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (11 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permit Section of my Department has received an application on behalf of the named individual and a decision on this application will be made within the next week.

Written Answers — Departmental Meetings: Departmental Meetings (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has a Management Board comprising the Secretary General of the Department, who chairs the Board, the Department's Assistant Secretaries General, the CEO of Forfás, and two Principal Officers, one of whom is the Head of the Department's Planning Unit. The Board meets on average twice monthly and the Ministers of State at the Department, Ministerial Advisors and I usually attend...

Written Answers — Departmental Meetings: Departmental Meetings (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: As outlined in my reply to a separate Parliamentary Question to Deputy Quinn today, my Department has a Management Board which meets, on average, twice a month. My Departmental Ministers of State and I usually attend every second meeting of the Board. As the Deputy would expect, each Board meeting deals with a number of items of business as set out in an agenda for that meeting. In...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The table below sets out details in respect of personnel in my Department as requested above:

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Act of 1986, as amended by the Acts of 1993 and 1995, IDA Ireland has the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land and any other property or any interest therein for the purpose of facilitating an industrial undertaking. Accordingly, the management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency, as part of...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the National Competitiveness Council's recent Annual Report that benchmarks Ireland against its international peers in the OECD, and the Council's associated publication, Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge. The new thematic approach presented by the NCC in this year's report is a worthwhile and useful development. By identifying a small number of strategic themes, centring on cost...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The table below shows the number of Green Cards refused wholly or partly because, if granted, the employer would have more than 50% of non-EEA employees and the employment sector to which these refusals relate in the six months from February 2007. I would point out that it is open to applicants to appeal decisions regarding employment permits application. Month Refusal Based on 50% non-EEA...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Government established the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) in 1997 to provide advice on Ireland's future skills requirements and make recommendations as to how those needs could be met. The EGFSN is an independent advisory body appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in consultation with the Minister for Education and Science. It reports to both...

Written Answers — Business Regulations: Business Regulations (6 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: In its report of April this year, the Business Regulation Forum recommended that "an administrative burden reduction programme should be initiated in Ireland without delay." In response to this, earlier this year I set up the High Level Group on Business Regulation under the chairmanship of my Department's Secretary General. The Group comprises representatives of Government Departments and...