Results 47,301-47,320 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked if I was for real but the Deputy should get somewhat real as well.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt, Deputy.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The idea that the creation of thousands of jobs 20 minutes from a town does not provide employment opportunities for people in the town is not realistic or valid. In terms of attracting inward investment to the regions, we must move towards gateways and hubs. Identifying Clonmel and ensuring it becomes a very attractive location for inward investment is a good idea that would provide...

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: We know the difficulties of commuting in those contexts. Our priority is to regionalise employment. In its discussions with companies, the IDA endeavours to get them to regional and rural locations. The idea of identifying a place like Clonmel as the magnet to bring significant industry into that particular area is good. It offers the best chance to people who are unemployed in Carrick-on-Suir.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: All the key personnel are working for the town, including the respective agencies and the county manager.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The numbers on the live register have decreased by 4.7%.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: In addition, it is important to point out the most recent quarterly national household survey, covering September to November 2006, showed that unemployment in the south-east region decreased by nearly 10% in the previous 12-month period.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: This is in comparison to a decrease of 2.8% nationally.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Employment in the region has increased by 7.5%, equating to approximately 15,000 jobs in the region. That is the context in which we should view the case of Carrick-on-Suir. The challenge is then to figure out how to ensure people can access the increased number of jobs being created in the general region.

Industrial Development. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Government's primary responsibility on enterprise policy is to ensure the broad environment and essential framework conditions continue to underpin and support the development of a sustainable enterprise sector. In line with the recommendations of the enterprise strategy group and small business forum, over the period of the next national development plan, 2007-13, financial incentives...

Industrial Development. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Recently, Enterprise Ireland launched a €30 million fund to strengthen the technology transfer offices in third level institutions and supports the construction of campus-based business incubation centres in all institutes of technology and universities.

Industrial Development. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: To date, it has approved 25 incubation centres, 16 of which are in institutes of technology or equivalent third level colleges and a further nine on university campuses.

Industrial Development. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I mentioned the commercialisation fund allocated by Enterprise Ireland to universities. It is substantial and will dramatically increase the capacity of universities and institutes of technology to commercialise their research. The Deputy is aware that the budget was significant in terms of incentives to invest capital in new companies and businesses. In line with the recommendations of the...

Economic Competitiveness. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The economy is a remarkable success story. During the past decade we have achieved consistently higher economic growth rates than most developed countries. This is among the better-off countries in the European Union and the developed world. We also score well in international rankings of quality of life. The 2006 UN human development index ranks us in fourth position ahead of countries...

Economic Competitiveness. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I must reject that. We created in the region of 500,000 jobs. The Deputy mentioned the 30,000 jobs lost in manufacturing. Like all developed economies the services sector accounts for a growing proportion of the jobs created. I do not accept the Deputy's view that Ireland is not getting a bang for its buck in terms of research and development. It is early days yet in terms of that...

Economic Competitiveness. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is not a fair comparison to compare the 1980s with the present by any standard. It is not to compare like with like. Obviously, in a developing economy the productivity gains we have seen over the past ten to 15 years will, by definition, be more significant than those we can expect in the remaining period. Three issues account for this — investment in research and development I am...

Economic Competitiveness. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 121 together. Every economy of the developed world experiences flows of capital as firms make adjustments to their operations and decide where to locate different aspects of their value chain. The National Competitiveness Council in its most recent report, Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge, has made a number of recommendations aimed at improving our...

Economic Competitiveness. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I have met the managements of such companies, including the manager of Intel's Irish operation, on a regular basis. The employment offered by Intel is robust. Many towns would love to have an employer such as Intel which continues and will continue to make a significant contribution to the economy. Intel is investing...

Industrial Development. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. While I can issue general policy directives to the agencies under the Industrial Development Acts, I am precluded from issuing directives about individual undertakings or giving preference to one area over others. I have been assured by the agencies under the remit of the Department of...