Results 5,581-5,600 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment I do not have a role in the administration of individual cases. The administration of individual cases is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of their responsibility under the Labour Services Act 1987.

Written Answers — Retail Sector Developments: Retail Sector Developments (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 156 together. 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 to reduce costs and streamline operations at all stages of the supply chain is an established feature of modern business practice. This has...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the ombudsman referred to in the Deputy's Question relates to a proposal made by the UK Competition Commission to introduce a scheme to deal with disputes between retailers and suppliers. It is important to point out that the Commission's proposal is currently the subject of a public consultation process and that no formal decision has been made at this stage to introduce an...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I understand the Deputy is referring to fair trade in the context of fair and equitable terms and conditions between parties in a contractual business relationship. In general, contract law, enforceable in the Courts, governs the terms and conditions entered into by contracting parties. In so far as competition law has an effect on business relationships, this is in the form of prohibition...

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy refers in his question to concerns regarding possible abuses by certain undertakings in the retail sector. I would advise the Deputy that the Competition Acts specifically provide that any abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the State or in any part of the State is prohibited. Should the Deputy have any evidence of undertakings in the retail sector engaging...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department has checked to see if a redundancy payments claim has been lodged for the individual in question but currently there is no record of a claim having been submitted. In the circumstances, if the Deputy wishes to provide me with further information which would help to clarify the matter, I would be happy to renew enquiries.

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department has checked to see if a redundancy payments claim has been lodged for the individual in question but currently there is no record of the claim having been submitted. In the circumstances, if the Deputy wishes to provide me with further information which would help to clarify the matter, I would be happy to renew enquiries.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (6 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I thank the Members of this House for facilitating the early discussion of this legislation. I am very pleased to bring the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009 to the House. Irish company law is a significant part of the infrastructure underpinning the development of Irish business. It provides the framework that governs how Irish companies conduct their business, communicate with shareholders...

Written Answers — Audit Exemption: Audit Exemption (30 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The extension of the audit exemption regime to small companies limited by guarantee is currently being examined by the Company Law Review Group as part of its 2008-2009 Work Programme and I will consider their recommendation(s) in the matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of reports I have received from bodies under the aegis of my Department in relation to their operation since I took up office on 7 May 2008 is set out in the following table. Reports Received from DETE Agencies on their Operation Laid before Oireachtas (Y/N) Intended to Lay before Oireachtas (Y/N) Annual Report of the Personal Injuries...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The detailed information being sought by the Deputy, going back to 2004, is currently being compiled across my Department. However, in the short time available to me since the Deputy tabled this Question, I am not in a position to provide those details at present. A full response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (30 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Enterprise Ireland through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The County and City Enterprise Boards provide support to small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. Subject to certain eligibility...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (30 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I have not established any Task Force on Waterford Crystal so the question of a representative from my Department does not arise. However, Waterford City Council has established the Waterford Crystal Forum to deal with the situation following job losses at Waterford Crystal. The Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department are actively involved with the Forum.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The situation pertaining to electrical apprentices is governed by the Standards Based Apprenticeship System, a standard based system of training and education for apprentices leading to the award of an Advanced Craft Certificate; this is the recognised award nationally and internationally for qualified Craftpersons. The Advanced Craft Certificate qualification is awarded to apprentices when...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The reply to Question No. 122 of 28 April 2009 refers. Proposals made to my Department from Skillnets regarding how participation in enterprise-led training networks might advance the training and upskilling of the unemployed and part-time workers have been the subject of joint discussions. Since then a number of additional training schemes, including the provision of work experience for the...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Since the company announced its plans to close its Dublin operations, IDA Ireland and I have had numerous meetings with the company to express my concern regarding the effect the closure will have on the economy of North Dublin and the effect of the loss of 1135 highly skilled jobs on the Irish aviation sector. IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland established a team to market the operation...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: In 2006, the Irish Government decided that, following their accession to the EU, nationals of Romania and Bulgaria would still have to apply for work permits in order to work in Ireland. Following a review of the situation in 2008, Government decided to maintain this requirement. The considerable challenges now posed as a result of the downturn in the global economic environment and its...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Redundancy Payments Section of my Department has processed the redundancy lump sum application for the person concerned. Payment of the claim will issue before the end of week ending 1 May 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware, during the course of the Budget speech last October, my colleague the Minister for Finance announced the merger of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority as part of the rationalisation of State Agencies. It is my intention to bring forward legislation during the course of 2009 to implement this merger.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (28 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the survey to which the Deputy refers and the reported findings in relation to late payments. As indicated in the response to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 31 March 2009, developments in the financial sector and wider economy have broadened the concerns for SMEs in gaining access to working capital. Initiatives to address access to working capital were also addressed in...