Results 5,061-5,080 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Electricians' Strike. (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The stable is still open.

Written Answers — Comptroller and Auditor General Report: Comptroller and Auditor General Report (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 65 together. When issues of concern relating to expenditure in FÁS were brought to my attention following my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment last year, I acted quickly to seek assurances from FÁS that the issues highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General's value for money report had been addressed. I then...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the concerns that have been expressed by some commentators in relation to the recent initiative by the retailer concerned to change the manner in which it sources certain products. The Deputy will appreciate that issues in relation to the strategies employed by businesses, including in the area of sourcing supplies, are primarily matters for the businesses themselves. The need...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I established the Sales Law Review Group in November 2008 to report on several issues relating to consumer and commercial law, including the proposal for a Directive on Consumer Rights published in October 2008. The Review Group's report is a thorough, expert analysis of the provisions of the proposed Directive. The proposed Directive will have a major influence on the future of Irish...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Mid-West Task Force, which I established under the Chairmanship of Mr Denis Brosnan, has now completed an interim Report. I am most grateful to Mr Brosnan and the other members of the Task Force for their commitment and work completed. The report was presented to me by Mr Brosnan on the 2nd of July and is currently being considered by Government. At the time Dell announced on eighth...

Written Answers — Codes of Conduct: Codes of Conduct (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the suggestions made in a number of quarters that a Code of Practice be introduced to regulate the relationships between the various elements in the retail chain. These suggestions have arisen in the context of the wider debate in relation to prices and in particular the differential in prices between this jurisdiction and Northern Ireland and the UK. Since the publication of...

Written Answers — Bilateral Agreements: Bilateral Agreements (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The 2006 Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy sets out the economic rationale for North/South collaboration as well as making concrete proposals for economic initiatives. The case for an all island approach is made where market failure arises from the existence of the border or where public goods and services could be more efficiently produced on a co-ordinated basis. In the matter...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I welcome the recent publication of the National Competitiveness Council's mid-year Statement 'Getting Fit Again: the Short Term Priorities for Restoring Ireland's Competitiveness'. The NCC Statement reiterates that the Government is taking the necessary steps to restore fiscal stability and ensure we maintain a vibrant enterprise sector capable of sustainable export-led growth. Restoring...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The total number of people on the Live Register for June 2009 was 418,600, an increase of over 90,700 since January of this year. The most recent seasonally adjusted Live Register Standardised Unemployment Rate for June stands at 11.9%. However, I would also point out that in the twelve-month period to the end of May 2009, 144,000 people left the Live Register as they had secured...

Written Answers — Smart Economy: Smart Economy (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I receive ongoing advice from my Department and the heads of the enterprise development agencies that report to my Department, as well as from business leaders and representative groups around the country. This has assisted in framing the Government's response to the current economic situation. I should also acknowledge the public spirited response from many individuals and groups who have...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 59, 91, 129 and 135 together. A number of recent reports have referred to the need to restore competitiveness and in particular cost competitiveness. These include the IMF, OECD, the National Competitiveness Council and the Competition Authority. One of the immediate policy objectives with regard to competitiveness is to restore our cost competitiveness....

Written Answers — Enterprise Stabilisation Fund: Enterprise Stabilisation Fund (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 84 together. The Government approved a total of €100m for the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund to be disbursed over 2009 and 2010. €50m has been included in the estimate of my Department for this purpose in 2009. Under the scheme, Enterprise Ireland can give up to €500,000 to viable companies with robust business models that are facing difficulties...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Following a commitment in the Government's Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, Building Ireland's Smart Economy, the High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise was launched in May 2009. The Group is chaired by Mr Joe Harford and comprises representatives of industry as well as senior Government Departments and State Agencies. In establishing this Group, the Government was cognisant...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently a total of 10 EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. Two of these Directives are currently overdue, namely Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual and consolidated accounts and Directive 2006/46/EC on company reporting. My Department aims to transpose these Directives by 17 July and 31 July 2009 respectively. Full details on the state...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There are 8 FÁS Regions (Dublin; Midlands; Mid-West; North-East; North-West; South-East; South-West; and West) covering the 26-counties, each region in consultation with the relevant regional stakeholders, develop appropriate plans regarding the range, mix and type of training courses appropriate to the needs of that region. As part of the process each region identifies their training needs...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the announcement of the job losses. A global review of the organisation in question has been in place since February of this year with a view to reducing costs and numbers employed worldwide. While the news of the job losses is very disappointing, Enterprise Ireland continues to work extensively with the company in Dublin on the implementation of Research and Development...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am very much aware that the key to creating employment is to provide the necessary support to the enterprise sector. In this regard, the Government made provision in the recent Supplementary Budget for in excess of €500 million for capital investment in enterprise. In doing so, the Government has prioritised investment in the most productive sectors of our economy and is investing in...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Despite the present unemployment challenge which we are currently facing I would like to point out that in the twelve months to the end of May 144,000 people left the Live Register as they had secured employment. This means that even in the most difficult period in terms of employment creation, jobs are still being created in our economy. According to the FÁS paper Job Opportunities in the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Government is working on the detail of a Temporary Employment Subsidy Scheme. The purpose of this scheme will be to: § Help the economy to retain its productive capacity and help employers to retain the labour, knowledge and skills of the workforce, thereby supporting a faster return to sustainable growth; § Help employees to retain their jobs, and § Ensure that economic and fiscal...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Jul 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is not possible to accurately predict the number of vacancies expected to arise in my Department by the end of 2009, which will remain unfilled as a result of the circular issued by the Department of Finance on 27 March 2009 placing a moratorium on the filling of vacancies in the Public Service. The only area where predictions can be made relate to those staff who will retire in accordance...