Results 48,381-48,400 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (30 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Work Permits Section of my Department received a total of 28,745 applications for work permits in 2005. Of the 27,112 work permits granted, 1,143 work permits were refused and 490 were withdrawn. Of the 27,112 work permits granted 7,345 were new work permits, 18,955 were renewal work permits and 812 were group work permits. At the end of 2005 there were 1,499 work permit applications pending.

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (30 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Labour Inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for monitoring certain employment conditions for all categories of workers in Ireland, including immigrant workers. The Inspectorate operates without any differentiation with regard to worker nationality as statutory employment rights and protections apply to immigrant workers in exactly the same...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (25 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. Data on employment in agency supported companies is recorded at county level. The tabular statement that follows this response gives the figures of full-time jobs created and lost in Co. Louth from 2000 to 2005 in companies supported by the enterprise development agencies. Job creation and job losses are a feature of economic development...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: 12 members of staff who have opted to remain in Dublin have been reassigned from decentralising sections. A further 176 members of staff who have opted to remain in Dublin remain to be reassigned.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in implementing its decentralisation programme. The Office of Public Works has completed the purchase of a site in Carlow town centre. The Office of Public Works, in conjunction with its legal advisers and the National Development Finance Agency, is finalising the documentation which is required in order to seek expressions of interest from...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: My Department is required to move 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme and has been making good progress in implementing its programme. The Office of Public Works has completed the purchase of a site in Carlow town centre and is finalising the documentation required to seek expressions of interest from developers in relation to the design, build, finance and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: No staff members have been assigned to my Department's decentralising location (Carlow), to date. However, there are currently 101 staff in the Department who are relocating to Carlow; 13 of whom are new recruits; none of whom are relocating on promotion.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. I shall communicate the information to the Deputy when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: One of the main recommendations of the 2004 Fitzpatricks Report was that the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) should be integrated into the mainstream enterprise development system by establishing a CEB Central Co-ordination Unit within Enterprise Ireland. This recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the Enterprise Strategy Group and approved by Government in 2005. The role of the...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: Free-range and organic.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: They have been allowed to reunite for the past two years.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: Those on work visa applications, including in the health, technology and construction professional areas, form a separate category from those on work permits. They are allowed to bring their spouses to Ireland. The Bill also deals with them.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: Both.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: They are entitled to work without a permit to get back into the system.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The only other option might be the back to education allowance.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I thank all Senators who spoke for their broadly strong support for the legislation. I look forward to going through the details on Committee Stage. Senator Coghlan stated his party would accept the Bill. A number of issues were raised, including the Gama situation, which is still before the Supreme Court. We worked on this issue through the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court,...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: A one-stop shop will be created and, ultimately, we will have one system for people who apply for green cards, work permits and residency. That will involve the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is evolving.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: It has already been established, although my Department retains the economic migration policy function, which is important because we deal with industry, enterprise and business. The Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice, Equality and Law Reform have already come together and we now work with that group. INIS is the name of the group, and its fundamental objective is to make it more...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: Yes, if they are above the family income supplement threshold. Some provisions will be made on that. The only issue is that people must have sustainable employment for the future. I will return to the issue of Senator Coghlan's sustainability policy later. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has already moved on that issue and articulated publicly on it. Work permits will be for...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: It is also the right thing to do. We learn as we go along. I stated before — Senator Mansergh made the same point — that in 1999 only 5,000 work permits were issued in this country. By 2003, 50,000 were issued annually. Since May 2004, 200,000 people have entered the country. It is rapid and fast-moving. I met Bruce Morrison before I formulated the Bill and I had constructive engagement...