Results 46,941-46,960 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Community Enterprise Centres. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy McEllistrim for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am well aware of his determination, commitment and support for the community enterprise centre at Farranfore, County Kerry. Enterprise Ireland is administering, under section 7 of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998, a community-led enterprise support programme called the community enterprise centre...

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue and to put on record the situation regarding Amgen, which involves no mystery or secrecy whatsoever. In fact, I contacted Deputies yesterday to inform them in advance that Amgen would make a public announcement to the workforce at 2 p.m. We all share the fundamental objective of wanting to bring investment into the country and we work through...

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: We will be making a week-long trip to the west coast, where we will meet a number of companies. This decision is disappointing for the region and the country, and particularly for the 79 staff directly affected. I am conscious that many of the employees left good jobs to work with Amgen because the company was seen as a significant opportunity for career advancement. Amgen has informed us...

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Amgen has told us it wants to retain ownership.

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The company has said that.

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: People have asked about the medium and long term. I was trying to respond to the issues raised by Deputy Stanton and others and I am conscious that a significant investment has been made in infrastructure. The east County Cork region has been identified as an area of significant growth and the site has significant utilities attached to it, so it clearly has the potential to house a similar...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that this work permit application was refused on the grounds that evidence of the necessary labour market test was not submitted in support of the application. Furthermore, the salary on offer was below €30,000 per annum and work permits are only granted on a very exceptional basis in such cases.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that applications for horse trainer positions will be considered on a case by case basis. If the Deputy wishes to bring a particular case to my attention, he should contact me in this regard.

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenses: Ministerial Expenses (3 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Due to the fact that my Department changed its financial management system within the last five years, information on expenses paid prior to 2004 is archived. For this reason, it has not been possible, in the time available, for my officials to collate all of the information sought by the Deputy. However, I can assure the Deputy that the details are available and that my officials are...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The European Communities (Safety of Toys) Regulations (S.I. No. 32 of 1990), which transposed Council Directive 88/378/EEC concerning the safety of toys, govern the marketing, classification and labelling of toys placed on the Irish market. These Regulations are enforced by the National Consumer Agency (NCA). Under these Regulations a toy may not be placed on the market unless it is safe,...

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: There is no promise.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (2 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (2 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (2 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together. The spousal work permit was announced by me in January 2007 as part of a suite of employment permit schemes representing a coherent, flexible and responsive economic migration policy. In formulating the new arrangements, my priority was to ensure that they are responsive to the needs of our dynamic labour market and are supportive of...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together. The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy. Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango Date Established Date of Abolition No. of Members No. of Staff Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 €million An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS) 1/1/88 — 17 1997: 2,013 1997 – 607.158...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (2 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Following is the appointments made by me since 1 July 2007: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) I made two appointments to the Board of Science Foundation Ireland on 25th July, 2007. Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) I made one appointment to IAASA on 11th July 2007. Forfás I made one appointment to the Board of Forfas on 2nd July 2007. Crafts Council of Ireland I made...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (2 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the development of property solutions for enterprise promotion in the Mid West Region lies with Shannon Development. Responsibility for grant assistance to companies locating in the Region is an operational matter for the relevant development agencies. IDA Ireland is the national agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (27 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: 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, including Mullingar, 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 precluded under the Acts from giving...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section has indicated that it is currently processing applications for Green Cards and Work Permits within 15 working days and for Spousal or Dependant permits within 20 working days. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by permit type of applications on hand. However, the overall number of employment permit applications awaiting processing at this time is...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (27 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: On 29 August last, IDA Ireland was informed by the company in question that it intended to announce the closure of its manufacturing and distribution operations in Drogheda on that day. The decision was due to excess capacity in Ireland. All manufacturing and distribution currently carried out in Drogheda will be transferred to the company's other Irish plants in Athy and Ballina. Both of...