Results 49,441-49,460 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am concerned about the recent job losses in the Youghal area, particularly the loss of 38 jobs in Seafield Technical Textiles Limited that has ceased operations due to adverse trading conditions. However, I am also aware that the relevant development agencies in my Department, namely, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the county enterprise board, are responding to such job losses in...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: In pursuit of the objectives of the national spatial strategy, the efforts of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the city-county enterprise boards are directed towards the promotion of employment and investment in all areas of the country. As regards helping those who are unemployed to enter the labour market, under the national employment action plan, FÁS engages intensively those who have...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The person concerned was appointed to the interim board of the National Consumer Agency on the basis of considerable experience both in the public sector in terms of work experience and in the private sector in terms of establishing and operating a business. I am satisfied that the person is well qualified for the task and will make an important contribution to the work of the interim board.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The main purpose of the community employment programme administered by FÁS is to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups and thereby enable participants to advance successfully to employment in the open labour market. I am informed by FÁS that with effect from 5 October 2000 persons aged 25 or over and in receipt of deserted wife's benefit...

Written Answers — Employment Permits: Employment Permits (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Economic migration policy is formulated within a context where the focus on meeting our skills needs is: first, on upskilling our resident workforce; second, on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits; and third, with a new green card and revised work permit system, to meet those skill needs which cannot otherwise be addressed. I announced my proposals for...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Ireland no longer operates as a low cost location for investment; our strengths and competitive advantages have inexorably changed. High output and productivity together with high returns to labour in the form of wages, salaries and better living standards now typify Ireland's economy. The low technology production that characterised our economic output in the past is being replaced by higher...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The National Competitiveness Council's, NCC, annual competitiveness report 2005 was published on 7 September. This report benchmarks Ireland's competitiveness relative to our 15 main trading partners and competitors using a compendium of 170 indicators. The indicators contained in the report are published by a wide variety of international sources. The NCC expects to publish its annual...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have no plans to break up Shannon Development. On 28 July last, following detailed consultations with the board of the company, other stakeholders and regional interests, I announced a decision on a future mandate for Shannon Development. This new mandate envisages an active, focused role for the company, complementary to that of the national agencies, in the best interests of the economic...

Written Answers — Company Liquidation: Company Liquidation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The determination of any payments due to creditors of IFI is a matter solely for the liquidator. The position of unsecured creditors can only be determined by the liquidator when all the assets of the company have been realised and all liabilities established. In this regard, I understand the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The reduction of 5,000 in staffing levels as announced by the Government in 2002 applies to all sectors of the public service. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and its agencies, including FÁS, are expected to contribute to this reduction. In the case of FÁS a reduction of 150 from a staffing level of almost 2,400 over several years is considered appropriate and I do not...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The issue of whether legislation to provide for the creation of a new offence of corporate manslaughter as suggested by the Law Reform Commission in its recent report is not a matter for me as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The main thrust of the recommendations are at a much wider area of responsibility than that covered by my Department and consequently I do not have a...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The process of comprehensively addressing the research and development agenda was commenced by this Government under the current National Development Plan, NDP, 2000-2006. Within the current NDP, STI has become a major plank of this Government's policy, underpinned by very significant resources. The importance of ensuring greater coherence in the development of the overall national system of...

Written Answers — National Consumer Agency: National Consumer Agency (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: As I advised the House in my reply to a previous question, the core recommendation of the Consumer Strategy Group is that a new statutory body, the national consumer agency, be established to be an advocate on behalf of consumers. The Government fully approved this recommendation and has agreed to establish the new agency as soon as practicable. The establishment of the NCA will require...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Job losses in the manufacturing sector are of ongoing concern and the Government is doing all in its power to create structures through its enterprise development and training agencies, which will facilitate those who have lost jobs to gain new ones, particularly ones that offer more opportunity both in terms of skills and permanence. Ireland has a predominantly modern manufacturing base...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I visited Kerry on 21 July 2005 with officials from my Department and the State development agencies. During the course of this visit I met the Kenmare Chamber of Commerce, and representative organisations and businesses in Caherciveen, Killorglin and Killarney. Wide-ranging discussions were held concerning economic development in the region. IDA's strategy for Kerry is to win high value...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am continuing to examine the issues raised in the House and in the media in relation to the academic qualifications of the chief science adviser. I have raised the specific issues identified in the previous questions and representations from members of the House with the chief science adviser and have sought his response. I have met the chief science adviser to discuss the issues in...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Since 1997 more than 450,000 new jobs have been created. There has also been a significant fall in unemployment, from 10.4% to 4.2% at present. Long-term unemployment fell from 5.5% in 1997 to 1.6% in 2000, and that very low level has been maintained — it is now at 1.4%. That long-term unemployment rate compares very favourably with the EU average of 4% and ranks fourth-lowest among the 25...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: As a consequence of a Commission audit decision in 2000, €15.6 million of European Social Fund moneys were withheld from Ireland. The sum involved represents less than 1% of the amount allocated to the three operational programmes for the period 1994-99. The Commission decision was contested by my Department, and that resulted in a hearing before the European Court of Justice this year. On...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together. Support for job creation and investment in individual counties is a day-to-day operational matter for the development agencies as part of their responsibility under the Industrial Development Acts. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The financial regulator, under the aegis of the Minister for Finance, is responsible for the financial supervision of insurance companies here. Before the establishment of the financial regulator, my Department regulated and supervised insurance undertakings. I had ministerial responsibility, and my Department had access to detailed statutory returns which would have allowed my Department to...