Results 6,681-6,700 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the concerns that have been expressed that a number of retailers may not be passing on to consumers the benefits of the Euro's recent appreciation in value, particularly against Sterling. These concerns were heightened by a survey undertaken by the National Consumer Agency of the price of a range of branded and own-brand goods charged by a number of prominent retailers operating...
- Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 to 69, inclusive, and 71 together. There are many factors apart from costs that influence a firm's decision to relocate, therefore, it is not possible to determine the number of jobs which may have been lost to lower cost economies. Decisions to relocate companies or elements of their supply chain are a reality of the modern globalised economic environment....
- Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In June 2008, Hibernian Insurance announced a restructuring plan that involves moving 580 jobs out of Ireland over the coming three years. These job losses will come about as a result of outsourcing of work to Bangalore, India. I understand that this is part of a greater outsourcing exercise on the part of Aviva, Hibernian's parent company. While I very much regret the decision of...
- Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Through a regional network of 66 offices and 20 training centres, FÃS provides a comprehensive nationwide service of training programmes as well as providing a recruitment service to jobseekers, an advisory resource for industry and support mechanisms for community-based enterprises. Over the past five years my Department has invested more than â¬125 million euro in capital expenditure...
- Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In order to meet the challenges of the changing economy there will be greater policy emphasis on activation and training for the unemployed. The budget for FÃS for 2009 was agreed on the basis of detailed discussions between FÃS, my Department and the Department of Finance in the context of the annual Estimates process. A budget of â¬1,050,488 was allocated to FÃS for 2009. This...
- Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together. Forfás, the national policy and advisory body for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation conducts extensive research into a wide range of areas relating to the enterprise environment in Ireland from energy and human capital policy to infrastructure and tax policy. This research and subsequent outputs are produced with a view...
- Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The position in relation to the factory and a replacement industry is unchanged from that in the reply given to Dail Question No 159 on 4 November, 2008. While the company that vacated the premises was a client of Enterprise Ireland, the remit of the agency does not extend to the acquisition, renovation or construction of industrial facilities.
- Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Industrial Development agencies namely IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, together with the local County Enterprise Board (CEB) are responsible for inward investment and indigenous enterprise development in County Roscommon. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA Ireland actively promotes the town of Roscommon for new investment across a broad range of sectors. In addition,...
- Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data are compiled on an annualised basis and are aggregated at county level. Figures for 2008 will not be available until early 2009. The numbers of jobs created and lost by IDA and Enterprise Ireland supported companies in Co Waterford in each year of...
- Small and Medium Enterprises. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Small and medium sized businesses account for more than 97% of companies in Ireland and the sector employs in excess of 800,000 people. In my reply to the previous priority question from the Deputy I fully acknowledged the importance of the sector and my ongoing commitment to support it. My Department and its agencies will play an important role in working through the current economic...
- Small and Medium Enterprises. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I need to outline the programmes available.
- Small and Medium Enterprises. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: These include a mentor network, the Enterprise Ireland export orientation programme, Leadership for Growth, the innovation voucher initiative and the Enterprise Start programme. There are programmes within the seventh EU framework on research and development. There is a finance and investment programme on venture capital, for which I announced an additional â¬500 million last week. Other...
- Small and Medium Enterprises. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: We are, within the European Union, introducing a small business Act but due to the antics of the Opposition I was unable to attend a meeting on that which was a retrograde step.
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Does the Deputy think we are stupid or something? We are not stupid.
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Is the Deputy blaming that on me being in the Department? That is just another sweeping remark.
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Is the Deputy so naive as to think that global economics have no impact on what is happening in the world?
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: What, for example?
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The finance spokesperson for Fine Gael keeps telling us to cut expenditure.
- Official Engagements. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I visited the east coast and the mid-west of the United States from 1 to 7 November on a promotional programme, organised by IDA Ireland, which is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland. The objective of this visit was twofold. My first objective was to cement relationships with US companies that have a presence in Ireland and to...
- Official Engagements. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The access we received was superb. The views expressed by those who are in Ireland at present is that this is a good place in which to do business. Ireland is perceived to be pro-enterprise and has a flexible and talented workforce and this is the basis on which many people make decisions to come here. Ireland's investment in research and development is of great importance to them....