Results 47,481-47,500 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

Industrial Development. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The industrial policy in County Mayo encompasses more than just IDA Ireland. There are approximately 19 IDA-supported companies in County Mayo, employing approximately 3,000 people in permanent jobs and a further 450 in temporary and contract employment. Employment numbers are strong relative to the 1990s and almost 10% higher than in January 1997. Some of the key companies include Baxter,...

Industrial Development. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The unemployment rate is not twice the national average. The unemployment rate in the region is about 4.3% which is in line with the national average. We must be careful not to bandy about figures which are not accurate.

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (1 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The development of a knowledge-based economy is one of the key challenges and opportunities facing Ireland. Increasing international competition requires improvements in efficiency, quality and productivity and a growing need to innovate. The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, launched in June 2006, was devised to address these very demanding challenges. The Strategy, which...

Written Answers — Company Takeovers: Company Takeovers (28 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of this matter which relates to a merger transaction in respect of which a determination was made by the Competition Authority on the 9th of February 2007 in exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Competition Act 2002. As required by the Act, the Authority's determination must be published within 2 months of the date of that determination. The Competition Authority is the...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (28 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The primary purpose of CE is to provide short-term work experience and training opportunities for long-term unemployed persons and other disadvantaged groups with a view to facilitating their progression to work in the open labour market. As part of the restructuring of CE approved in 1999, future participation in CE by an individual was capped at 3 years, effective from April, 2000. This...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The table below shows the number of staff in the work permits section from 2002 to 2006. Also set out below is the total number of permit applications received in those years. No. of Staff Work permits applied for (both new and renewal) 2006 31.1 26,495 2005 30.1 27,721 2004 35.0 36,355 2003 35.0 50,877 2002 35.0 42,999 The number of applications awaiting processing are 2,952 and the...

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: That is wrong.

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: That is not true.