Results 47,301-47,320 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the concerns raised in the correspondence referred to in the Deputy's question regarding particular provisions of the recently enacted Consumer Protection Act 2007. Essentially the correspondent is concerned that the provisions in the Act prohibiting traders from imposing additional charges on customers by reason of the customer choosing to make payment for goods or services by...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department is required to move 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 Employment Rights Authority (NERA) Work Permits...

Written Answers — Legal Metrology Service: Legal Metrology Service (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware of the background to this matter from replies on 28 September 2005, 25 January, 16 February, 20 June and 14 December 2006. Following identification of a number of serious health and safety risks, the testing of weighing equipment used for trade in meat processing plants was reviewed during the period 2002 to 2004. Full checks have not been undertaken since the...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 589, 590 and 603 together. Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market by breaking their experience...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: As employment data in respect of companies supported by the Enterprise Agencies is collated by Forfás on an annual basis, the figure for jobs created in the last six months is not available. In 2006, 11,846 full-time jobs were created in IDA supported firms; the total number of permanent jobs in such firms at the end of 2006 was 135,487.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons 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 a return to a work routine and to...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania who wish to access the Irish labour market for the first time require an employment permit. Regarding the position of au pairs, the Employment Permits Section of my Department operates a List of Ineligible Job Categories covering occupations which are expected to be sourced from within the EU/EEA and for which therefore Work Permits are not available. This...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: Grant agreements between Enterprise Ireland and companies are a matter for those parties and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not have a direct function in this area. All funding provided by Enterprise Ireland is subject to a legal grant agreement between the company and Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland grant-aided companies must meet their obligations to...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: Currently there are over 6,000 people over 55 years of age on CE. This represents circa 29% of those on CE, a figure which has increased from 25% at year end 2005. To cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 I revised the standard 3 year CE capping to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a 6-year period on CE (based on participation since 3rd April 2000). This...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: Provided is a list of the countries of origin of all persons who applied for a work permit between 2005 and 2007.

Written Answers — Research and Development: Research and Development (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation recognises the importance for Ireland in building its international collaborative networks in science and highlights the importance of making investments in a way that produces the greatest benefit to Ireland. Ireland is currently involved in various international programmes and initiatives including the European Seventh Framework Programme...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together. During 2006 there were twenty-seven jobs created in IDA supported companies in County Clare and forty-seven jobs lost. The Agency hosted seven site visits by potential investors to County Clare during 2006, of which one was to Ennis. Ennis is designated as a hub under the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and is a priority location for IDA....

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (24 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: I brought this matter to the attention of the Chairman of the IDA Board and he arranged for an investigation, which commenced in October 2005. I understand that the process has proved to be more protracted than originally expected and no interim or other report has yet been received. The intention is that as soon as the investigation is completed the Chairman will inform me of the outcome.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (24 Apr 2007)

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

Written Answers — Corporate Law Enforcement: Corporate Law Enforcement (5 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) sought 20 additional staff, including 6 Gardaí. In advance of approval of these posts, full detailed costings have not been itemised. The full pay costs would depend on the exact grades and scale points which would apply to any additional staff allocated. The following table outlines the staff grades requested by the ODCE; the numbers at each...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (5 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: The objective of the Innovation Voucher initiative, which I launched in March and which is being administered by Enterprise Ireland, is to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers and small businesses to create a cultural shift in the small business community's approach to innovation whilst creating greater synergies between the two. This initiative, which is based on a...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department is required to relocate 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme and this is planned to occur by the end of 2009. As at 4th April 2007, there have been 321 applications to decentralise to Carlow with my Department. There are 108 Carlow-bound applicants assigned within the Department, with a further 73 Carlow-bound applicants yet to be assigned to...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (5 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: I have been informed by the development agencies under the remit of my Department, that no funding or grant aid for the development of the Skellig Bay Golf Course (formerly Atlantic Links and previously Hog's Head Golf Course) in the townlands of Baslickane and Ballybrack, Waterville, Co. Kerry, was provided. All funding or grant aid pertaining to the development of sporting projects or...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (5 Apr 2007)

Micheál Martin: I understand that in 2003, the Drumshanbo Community Council received a grant for a Feasibility Study from Leitrim County Enterprise Board to a total value of €6,350. The purpose of this grant was to investigate the feasibility of renovating the Laird/Kepak Food Facility into a food village, now known as the Drumshanbo Food Hub. Drumshanbo Food Hub was also approved for assistance amounting...

Written Answers — Employment Statistics: Employment Statistics (5 Apr 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 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 Industrial Development Acts from giving...