Results 7,841-7,860 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Industrial Development Acts, the purchase, disposal or leasing of property by IDA Ireland is an operational matter for the Agency, and not one in which the Minister of the day has a function. I have been informed that the Agency has no plans currently in relation to the purchase of property in Carlow town. I understand from the Agency that there are a number of private sector...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (27 May 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 information is provided by companies on a confidential basis for statistical purposes only. The number of jobs created in IDA supported companies in County Carlow and County Kilkenny...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Due to the fact that my Department changed its financial management system within the last five years, the information on expenditure requested by the Deputy is readily available only from the beginning of 2004. Year Expenditure € 2004 759,286 2005 1,235,340 2006 1,118,903 2007 1,198,448 2008 Jan-April 341,515 Competition and Consumer Policy Section is a Unit within the...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: While I have no direct function in relation to this matter, I understand that the case referred to by the Deputy relates to the practice of the company concerned imposing a charge on customers who pay their bills by means other than by direct debit. I understand that the National Consumer Agency (NCA) has received a number of complaints on this matter from consumers. I am advised that the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The number of civil servants in my Department at the grade of Assistant Principal and higher are as outlined in the table attached. Of the number at each grade one Assistant Principal was recruited from outside of the Civil Service in 2004. Since then and in accordance with the promotion sequence as determined by the Department of Finance, all vacancies in this Department to be filled from...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that the Spousal/Dependant Scheme gives greater ease of access to employment for spouses/dependants of all employment permit holders, who have been admitted to the State under Family Reunification by: Not requiring the employer in question to advertise the job with FÁS/EURES in advance of making a work permit application, Accepting...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that this application was refused on the grounds that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only for highly skilled, highly paid positions or for non-EEA nationals already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits. Furthermore, the above named is resident in the State on a Visitor stamp and...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: 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 is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I corrected that.

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Directive 2005/32/EC, which establishes a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products, and proposals on individual products arising under the Framework Directive, fall within the aegis of my Department. The Department deals with proposals in conjunction with an Inter-Departmental/Inter-Agency Group including representatives from the Department of Environment,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Ministerial cars are driven by members of an Garda Síochána. Such vehicles are exempt from tolls under section 62 of the Roads Act 1993. Accordingly, no cost arises to the Exchequer.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that this application was refused on the grounds that the proposed employee is currently resident in the State on a Student Stamp and is completing his studies. He is, therefore, ineligible to enter full-time employment. This decision was upheld on appeal. However, should the applicant successfully complete his studies and apply to...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Consumer Protection Act 2007 empowers the National Consumer Agency to prepare and publish Guidelines to traders in relation to matters of consumer welfare and protection and matters related to commercial practices. The Act also entitles the Agency to review or approve Codes of Practice voluntarily submitted to it by traders or their trade associations where the Agency is satisfied that...

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Enterprise Ireland has primary responsibility for Irish companies in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. It supports companies employing 10 or more people and start-up companies which have the potential to employ 10 or more people and reach or exceed €1m in exports over three years. The flow of innovative start-ups into the Irish economy is critical for future...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that since the beginning of the year there have been significant increases in both the wholesale and retail price of petrol and diesel products, caused by a combination of strong demand, tight capacities and some market speculation. Ireland has no control over world oil prices. Government policy in relation to prices, including the price of commodities such as...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of concerns expressed that some multi-national retailers are charging higher prices for food products in Ireland than in the UK. Whilst undoubtedly rising food prices are being experienced across the world, the findings of recent surveys showing that the cost of certain food items to Irish consumers is significantly greater than the cost of such items to UK consumers are certainly...

Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. 8a, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 (Section 5) (Specified Period) Order 2008; and No. 1, Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 8a shall, if not previously concluded, be...

Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The judicial council will be introduced later this year. As Deputy Shatter is aware, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was awaiting the views of the Chief Justice and he has nominated someone to liaise in those discussions. Regarding sentencing, being an eminent lawyer Deputy Shatter will appreciate that we cannot make public comment on the matter, given the independence of...

Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The man was here yesterday.

Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: It is anticipated that the Ferns Report will be brought to finality. As the Deputy will know, the Children First guidelines are being extensively reviewed. There has been discussion with the stakeholders. We have always evolved these issues in the context of new outcomes and considerations. If those are available in the Ferns Report, I am sure they will be involved and reflected on as we...