Results 5,761-5,780 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes Provision (21 Oct 2014)

Damien English: I understand from SOLAS that in 2013 there were 339 learners who completed full-time HGV courses - 158 on HGV Artic and 181 on HGV Rigid. In 2014, up to the end of September, there were 327 learners who completed full-time HGV courses - 73 on HGV Artic and 254 on HGV Rigid. In 2014 SOLAS published a Further Education and Training Services Plan 2014, which sets out details of the full...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Oct 2014)

Damien English: I propose to take questions 493 and 494 together. VTOS participants are paid a training allowance in lieu of their Department of Social Protection payment, therefore they will be eligible for the Christmas bonus payment, of 25%, announced in Budget 2015.

Other Questions: Industrial Development (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: I will raise the matter again. There is scope in the horticultural fund although perhaps not for the support structures for growing. Perhaps it can apply to other parts of the business, such as marketing, processing and equipment to develop further and for storage. We might get support for some parts of the business through that fund but I have no problem raising the issue at the next EU...

Other Questions: Industrial Development (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Stanton for his question. There has been a significant increase in the number of micro-breweries operating in the last couple of years. It has been a successful sector for the country, as the Deputy pointed out. It is estimated that there are between 30 and 40 micro-breweries in Ireland, the majority of which are engaged in own production. These new businesses are located...

Other Questions: Industrial Development (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: All the nice sunny weather in Cork makes it easier to grow hops there. The Deputy is right that we grew them in the 1980s and 1990s but there was consistent poor weather in the 1990s. The main producers, who were based near Kilkenny and towards where Deputy Stanton is based, stopped production but there is an interest in developing the sector again. The main cost is in the support...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Online Business Voucher Scheme (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: A recent report on Ireland's Digital Future, published by UPC and Amárach research, estimates that the value of Irish on-line consumer spending in 2014 will be €6 billion, and that this will rise to nearly €13 billion by 2020. However, 60% of on-line purchases made by Irish consumers currently go abroad. Only 23% of companies trade on-line. Therefore, it is imperative...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Information and Communications Technology (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: The importance of innovation and technology to Ireland's on-going and future economic recovery is well recognised by the Government as being crucial to growth in both our indigenous and FDI sectors. Evidence, from both the EU and internationally, shows that the Government's strategy of accelerating the economic and societal return on our STI investment is paying off. Globally, we are...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Research and Development Supports (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: Investment in Research, Development and Innovation (R, D & I) is a key economic differentiator which can support Irish companies of all scales to adapt to, and excel in a global market which in turn leads to increased exports and jobs. As a result the Government considers that it is critical that Irish companies are supported to engage in R&D and Innovation. Enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Proposed Legislation (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: The Government's legislation programme published on 17 September relates to the Autumn 2014 parliamentary session and does not contain any reference to legislation on copyright. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that on 5 August 2014, I published a Bill entitled ''The Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014'' and I look forward to bringing this Bill before...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (16 Oct 2014)

Damien English: Investment in science, technology and innovation (STI) is an essential component of supporting an innovative and enterprising economy. It assists in creating and maintaining high-value jobs and attracts, develops and nurtures business, scientists and talented people, ensuring Ireland is connected and respected internationally. The importance of STI to Ireland’s on-going and future...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 3: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2014)

Damien English: It is step one in a three-step process.

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 3: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2014)

Damien English: I am grateful for the chance to say a few words on a very important budget. I thank my senior ministerial colleague, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, for making time available for me to deal with a few issues, particularly the further education and training aspect of our budget. This is a very important part of the Department's budget, representing a spend of nearly €810 million. It is great...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science and Technology Groups (15 Oct 2014)

Damien English: The Government’s priority in the area of science, technology and innovation is to implement the recommendations of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise which will see the majority of public research funding aligned with priority areas where we are most likely to get economic and social returns, particularly in the form of jobs. Ireland's membership of international research...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Administration (15 Oct 2014)

Damien English: The payment of a SOLAS (formally FÁS) training allowance is aligned to a person's social welfare entitlement as it replaces a participant's social welfare payment for the duration of a training course. The amount of that entitlement is determined by the Department of Social Protection in accordance with the rules of the various social welfare schemes. The rules encompassing these social...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pension Provisions (15 Oct 2014)

Damien English: SOLAS was established on 27th October 2013 and FÁS was dissolved as part of this process. All staff employed by FÁS on the day immediately before that date were transferred to SOLAS on the establishment day under Section 28 of the Further Education and Training Act 2013. Section 29 of the Act provides that any previous service as a member of staff with FÁS will be regarded as a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (15 Oct 2014)

Damien English: I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (14 Oct 2014)

Damien English: Since the introduction of the incidental transport facility for Youthreach learners in 1997, significant changes have occurred with regard to both the cost and scope of the School Transport Scheme itself, and in general with regard to child protection requirements / guidelines. Given the age of the individual at the date of the commencement of his Youthreach course, the individual does not...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (14 Oct 2014)

Damien English: The Deputy will be aware that Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally. Bus Éireann has advised that the set down point at Fair Field is the only...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (9 Oct 2014)

Damien English: Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport, where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs. All children with special educational needs who are currently categorised as eligible for free school transport retain this...

Other Questions: Third Level Funding (8 Oct 2014)

Damien English: I again thank Deputy McConalogue for his comments at the outset. To work back through his questions, I naturally cannot answer his last question, as the Government is in the middle of a budgetary process for the next week or two and consequently, I cannot go into that at present. To clarify the positions and rankings of the universities, the QS World University Rankings show that seven...