Results 47,081-47,100 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together. The meeting last month in Potsdam, Germany, of the so-called Group of 4 (the G4) of the USA, the EU (represented by the European Commission), Brazil and India, was the latest in a series of such meetings. Unfortunately, as Deputy Higgins points out, it was not possible at that meeting for the G4 to reach convergence. From the EU's...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together. On 23 April, 2007, I was informed of the situation in the company in question by Enterprise Ireland. The company is moving its manufacturing operation to China in 2008. It will, however, maintain a sales and marketing centre in Ireland which will employ ten people. I understand that over the coming months, the company will be discussing...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The full-time job losses, job gains and net gains/losses in Agency assisted enterprises in Co. Kildare for years 2002 to 2006 inclusive are outlined in the following table. According to the most recent Quarterly National Household Survey, the total labour force in the Mid East Region, of which Kildare is a part, grew from 206,300 in May 2003 to 244,300 in 2007. The corresponding figures for...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Manufacturing is an important and integral part of the economy, directly employing almost 250,000 people. During 2005 the sector spent €25bn on Irish labour, material and services and contributed almost 30% of corporation tax receipts. Over the last two decades however there has been a structural shift in the economic composition of developed economies. In the OECD countries, this has...

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

Micheál Martin: The employments Permits Section of my Department have informed me that the following are the figures for permits applied, approved and rejected in the first six months of 2006 and the first six months of 2007. Applications Received Permits Issued Permits Refused 2006 Jan-June 14,487 12,378 531 2007 Jan-June 13,289 8,966 863

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Factors affecting the competitiveness of dynamic market economies are constantly changing. Ireland has prospered by being closely connected with global markets and using the opportunities of globalisation and the EU Single Market to create employment and build a broad based enterprise economy. Markets and companies adjust to aspects of competitiveness that are specific to their sector. Some...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in regard to the relocation of 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. The following business units/Offices of my Department have been selected as part of the Decentralisation Programme and will be relocated in the new decentralised office: Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies National...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Community Employment budget for 2007 is €355.5m and has been provided with a view to maintaining overall numbers on schemes at 2006 levels (circa 22,200 nationally). Following a review of FÁS employment schemes, I announced that, with effect from 10th November, 2004 funding would be provided for participants on the Job Initiative Scheme to continue to have their contracts renewed.

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together. Employment figures in Enterprise Agency assisted firms are collated on an annual basis. The latest figure available for total full-time job losses is 21,090 in 2006; 27,017 full-time jobs were created in the same year. While any factory closures or job losses are to be regretted they must be viewed in the context of an historically...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: When the company in question announced the closure of its Naas facility last December, the reasons that were cited for the closure were a reduction in market demand, intense cost pressure from automotive manufacturers, competitive pressures and the euro/dollar exchange rate. The company decided it had no option but to retrench its global European mirror production into one company site in...

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The industrial development agencies work closely with local interests in Mallow for the purpose of advancing the attractiveness of Mallow as a location for both indigenous industry and foreign direct investment. In this regard, Enterprise Ireland was involved with the Mallow development partnership and contributed to a commissioned plan on an integrated development strategy for the town...

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: First, I replied to the question tabled. It asked whether my attention was drawn to the enterprise element of the special local area plan for Mallow. The answer is yes. My Department has been party to it, as have the enterprise agencies. The question continued by asking whether I had sought assurances or commitments from Greencore. When I met representatives from the company more than a...

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept the Deputy's statement regarding the Government's position on the workers. We had a number of meetings in that respect and I articulated my position clearly and publicly to the company, as did the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Thankfully. The labour relations machinery of the State kicked in to bring about a satisfactory outcome. Regarding the backbencher's statement, I suggest that Deputy Sherlock ask the Deputy about the announcement.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is a long-standing precedent that the Minister does not comment or speculate on a potential investment in any way.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy would know more than I.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is a matter for the public representatives on Carlow County Council.

Job Creation. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am anxious to see development everywhere.

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The role and functions of FÁS are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The current FÁS strategy statement outlines the vision and direction for FÁS for the period 2006 to 2009. The strategy is closely aligned with the policy goals of my Department and was developed in close collaboration with it. The current FÁS strategy recognises the changes in the labour market, including the relatively low...

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: With the science, technology and innovation strategy, the national skills strategy will be a fundamental pillar of economic policy during the coming years. Both are essential for the country's competitiveness. The national skills strategy does not relate to FÁS alone. Rather, it is concerned with upskilling the workforce. We concentrated on the unemployed in previous decades, as we will...