Results 7,521-7,540 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Outsourcing and relocation are inevitable in a free market and open economy. Many of the jobs in this economy, especially in the multinational sectors, could be looked upon as having been outsourced to here and we still continue to capture a significant share of such employment. Inter-firm outsourcing is also an important part of enterprise activity. Our economic performance has benefited...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently no plans for any representatives or officials from my Department to visit Beijing in an official capacity to coincide with the 2008 Olympic Games. Accordingly, there is no projected cost involved.

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: In the time available it has not been possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy in relation to my Department and the Offices of my Department. This information is being compiled at present and I will communicate the details to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together. IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas, for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs, including the arrangement of site visits, is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The possibility of developing the former Ispat site at Haulbowline from an enterprise, tourism and leisure perspective was first suggested by a former executive of Enterprise Ireland. The issue has been under consideration in my Department which has consulted with other interests including the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, OPW and the County Manager with a view to...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The range and make-up of supports and services provided by FÁS at local level is a day-to-day operational matter for them, and is not an area in which I have any role to play. I understand that in early 2008 FÁS raised concerns about the capacity of the Carrick-on-Suir Jobs Club to meet the agreed targets. Representatives were advised by FÁS that if there was no progress towards achieving...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that I have raised my concerns about the price of grocery goods on a number of occasions recently with the National Consumer Agency and the Retail Association of Ireland. It continues to be my view that retailers have a duty to their customers and to the economies in which they operate to explain why there are such price differentials between their stores in the two...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Industrial Development Acts, the management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. I understand from IDA Ireland that it owns a total of total of 69.09 hectares of land in Wickow, a 20 hectare Business Park in Bray, a 24.9 hectare Business Park in Greystones and a 24.19 hectare...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are clients of the industrial development agencies. Information is aggregated on an annualised basis at county level. The number of jobs with support from the Enterprise Development Agencies on a county basis in each of the years from 1998 to the end of 2007 are set out in the attached tabular statement....

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The following table sets out details in respect of all Special Advisers appointed to my Department: Name Date of Appointment Remuneration (Pay Scale) Dermot Murphy 7th May, 2008 €84,066 – €103,983 Sean Perry 7th May, 2008 €64,565 – €80,507

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: There are five Civil Servants and one Press Adviser employed in the Press Office broken down as follows: The Civil Servants are 1 Principal Officer (part-time), 1 Higher Executive Officer, 1 Executive Officer and two Clerical Officers. The following table sets out the remuneration for each staff member: Grade Remuneration (Pay Scale) Press Adviser €64,565 – €80,507 Principal Officer...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: There are seven staff employed in my constituency office broken down as follows: The following table outlines the number of staff employed in my constituency office including their respective rank and salary scale. Number Rank Remuneration (Pay Scale) 1 Personal Assistant €45,422 – €57,656 1 Personal Secretary €22,615 – €43,635 1 Temporary Clerical Officer €22,609 –...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Department undertook an Expenditure Review of spending on Science & Technology in 2004. The Review was completed in December 2005 and presented to the Expenditure Review Steering Committee in Department of Finance. It was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas during 2006. The Review focussed on the principal Research Technological Development and Innovation in Industry measures under...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Value for Money review of Science Foundation Ireland programmes is nearing completion and is expected to be finalised in July 2008. The purpose of the review is to examine SFI's major funding programmes and make targeted comments and recommendations, where appropriate, on the overall effectiveness of the agency supports in building a world-class research system in Ireland, with a focus on...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently conducting a Value for Money Review of the FÁS Competency Development Programme. The Competency Development Programme is the main FÁS programme for supporting the training of people in employment. It is expected that the Value for Money Review will be completed during Autumn 2008. It is not possible at this point in time to estimate savings accruing from...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Overall, Ireland has performed very strongly over the last number of years. However as the country's economy moves to higher value added activities, providing quality sustainable jobs, some traditional lower-cost industries throughout the country are under pressure and other lower-value activities are transferring out of Ireland. While I very much regret the decision of Hibernian Insurance...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Board of FÁS identified the changing employment patterns and future prospects in the Construction / Contracting Sector as a key area in the external environment that could impact on the achievement of FÁS "strategic objectives". The Board established a Sub-committee to oversee the development of a FÁS contingency plan to meet these changes. The Sub-committee widely consulted all...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Skillnets Ltd. is an enterprise-led body that was set up to provide companies with new opportunities to develop relevant, effective answers to their training and development needs. The main training programme operated by Skillnets Ltd. at present is the Training Networks Programme. Under this Programme, Skillnets Ltd. facilitates and supports companies to form networks known as 'Skillnets'...

Written Answers — Research and Development Strategy: Research and Development Strategy (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The level of Business Expenditure on Research and Development (BERD) has increased from €784 million in 1999, to €900 million in 2001, €1,105 million in 2003, €1,329 in 2005 and €1,560 (estimated) in 2006 (all amounts in 2006 prices). BERD data is collected biennially, with survey respondents asked to provide expenditure details in respect of the previous year and an estimate of...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (8 Jul 2008)

Mary Coughlan: To date no regional skills advisory groups have been established. However, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs is currently undertaking an analysis on the possible role that regional skills advisory councils could play in Ireland.