Results 5,881-5,900 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Corporate Governance. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Family businesses——

Corporate Governance. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am just trying to seek clarity. The second issue is the combined code of corporate governance for listed companies, plcs in the main.

Corporate Governance. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: That matter is being considered in the context of company law. It is important to be careful. The Minister for Finance is also considering this issue in the context of banking institutions. It is within those confines that I agree with the Deputy that we can progress this matter from a "comply and explain" basis into a legal framework. Deputy Penrose is aware that I announced amendments to...

Corporate Governance. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I would not care to comment on that because we have not come to finality on the issue yet. I am sure Deputy Penrose is aware that we are only a small country with a certain number of people available to participate on many of our boards. We should be cognisant of that point. The initial inquiry regarding the change from a code to a legislative framework is being carefully worked through...

Live Register. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The total number of people on the live register for March 2009 is 371,300, a monthly increase of 16,863. It should be noted that the live register is not designed to measure unemployment and includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment benefit. Based on the live register figures, the CSO estimates the standardised unemployment rate in March to be 10.9%. The rise...

Live Register. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On SR Technics, I hope we can get to the question and that I will be able to address the issues raised.

Live Register. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I hope to address the House on it. On the insulation scheme, those of us who were local representatives will know there was no grant aid for insulation. This is why it now comprises a specific energy measure and why it is outside the remit of all other schemes. With regard to the back to work enterprise allowance and the back to education scheme, the late Minister for Social and Family...

Live Register. (1 Apr 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Yes, the Deputy is correct to talk about new, innovative schemes. Within my Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, and I have been working very closely to reorientate the emphasis of our investments, particularly within FÁS, from people within work to people who are unemployed. It is a question of ensuring people still have contact with the labour force. It is a question of...

Written Answers — Export Credit Insurance: Export Credit Insurance (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is recognised that there has been some withdrawal and reduction of export credit insurance cover for business, by the commercial insurance companies, in recent months. In relation to the possible introduction of a State Export Credit Insurance scheme, as a response to this situation I recently requested that a review of the export credit insurance market be carried out by Forfas and...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has two contracts with limited companies for the provision of the full-time services of a single individual as follows: Name of Contractor Purpose of Contract "Sword" (a software development company) The provision of an on-site engineer to support the Patents Office administration system In responses to the need to reduce expenditure on the engagement of external service...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There are a number of formal and informal avenues by which my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food cooperate on Ireland's position in the WTO negotiations. In most cases, the Department of Foreign Affairs is also involved. As the Deputy may know, the EU acts as a single entity within the WTO, and its policy for the trade talks is agreed in the General Affairs...

Written Answers — National Statistics: National Statistics (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department does not retain a list of employers in the Dáil Éireann constituency of Dún Laoghaire.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The reply to Questions Nos. 130, 131, 134, 141, 143, 144, 145, 150, 151 and 13 of 24 March 2009 refers. As stated all Department budgetary allocations are currently under review in the context of the forthcoming Budget on 7 April 2009. Any reallocations that result will reflect the funding priorities that have been agreed by the Government.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: FÁS Jobs Ireland is an on-line marketplace where Jobseekers and Employers can find information and profiles about prospective jobs and staff in Ireland and across Europe. FÁS Jobs Ireland also provides a database of Training courses to suit all needs. It is an integrated system for: receiving vacancies from employers and profiles from employees either by phone to a national call centre or...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Funding is available from the European Globalisation Fund (EGF) for the retraining of workers in EU Member States made redundant as a result of changing global trade patterns. A minimum threshold of at least 1,000 redundancies applies for a given enterprise and its suppliers. This threshold must be reached within a 4 month period. In order for an application for assistance from the EGF to...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (31 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Matters relating to the payment of Jobseekers Benefit are the responsibility of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The Government is determined to do all in its power to tackle the rise in numbers of people finding themselves without work or with reduced working weeks. Our approach in tackling the issue is multi-layered and centres on restoring our public finances, protecting...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (26 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Sustaining Ireland's competitiveness continues to be a key priority for this Government. It is monitored in particular through the work and advice of the National Competitiveness Council. Their work is a very important part of regular short and medium term analysis of what our economy requires to stay competitive. The National Development Plan 2006-2013 underpins competitiveness by improving...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (26 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Framework for Economic Renewal we are taking a number of measures across Government to address competitiveness objectives. A key element of the Government's current strategy to develop the enterprise sector is to encourage increased levels of investment in research, using more technology in product development and encouraging more innovation. "Building Ireland's Smart Economy" sets...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (26 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department and FÁS have been continually monitoring the trends in apprenticeship. A number of measures are being put in place to assist apprentices who have become redundant in completing their apprenticeship. These measures are providing assistance to over 2,600 redundant apprentices. These include the following. FÁS Employment Services Division is focusing on assisting redundant...

Written Answers — Training Programmes: Training Programmes (26 Mar 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The State makes a significant investment in training measures for both employed and unemployed. The amount of funding invested in those in employment has increased significantly over recent years and has been used to facilitate a broad range of upskilling programmes, ranging from basic literacy and numeracy to specific skills or support to build the management capabilities and skills within...