Results 901-920 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: That is three questions.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I told the Deputy previously that we are reviewing Enterprise 2025 and I will have a first review document on that in June with another report to follow later in the year. Ms Sinnamon said yesterday that exports to the UK had only increased by 2% when we were hoping for a 12% increase. The eurozone strategy launch yesterday was about encouraging companies to grow their business in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Funding of InterTradeIreland, ITI, is provided on a 2:1 basis by my Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, respectively. Discussions between both Departments to finalise the body's budget for 2017 have not yet been concluded, largely because the level of funding cannot be formally agreed until an Executive is in place in Northern Ireland. Those discussions, once completed, will...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I understand how important it is that ITI have a sound and strong financial footing. It is especially the case given the important role it will play in helping SMEs address the challenges that Brexit will present. That is why I have made additional funding available. I will keep its requirements under review. We must remember, however, that North-South bodies are funded on a joint basis...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: This study will be published very soon. As the Deputy knows, it is a study on the consequences of the application of tariffs on trade over and back across the Border. We will be publishing it very soon.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In advance of the referendum, my Department conducted a contingency risk assessment of the potential impacts of Brexit across policy areas of the Department. We are continuing to refine our analysis after the referendum and we have been working with the enterprise agencies and across government to put in place additional resources and actions to mitigate risks and maximise opportunities. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Deputy mentioned the number of staff we have in the Department. We have different committees right across government. While the United Kingdom may have a Brexit department, I assure the Deputy that we have committees right across all Departments, including mine, meeting the various sectoral interests and enterprises. We are covering off that really well. Even yesterday, we launched the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Relations Commission (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Inspectors of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights and employment permits legislation. The WRC’s work programme for 2017 makes specific provision for a compliance and enforcement campaign within the equine sector generally, including the horse racing industry. Inspections...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In Budget 2017, I secured an additional €4m in Capital funding for the LEOs, which brought the total Capital allocation for this year to €22.5m. This funding is used to provide direct financial supports to eligible LEO clients, including Feasibility, Priming, and Business Development Grants. The funding is also used to deliver “soft” supports...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I fully appreciate the importance of ensuring that Irish businesses, including those located in Donegal, are best able to withstand the pressures that Brexit may exert. That is why, for example, I secured additional financial resources to support the strategic response to Brexit by our enterprise agencies. IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Government’s approach towards job creation in Cavan and Monaghan is guided by the North East/North West Regional Action Plan. This plan aims to support the creation of 28,000 new jobs across both regions by 2020. Progress is also being made towards this goal, with 5,600 more people in employment across the region since the start of 2015. Regional development remains a key...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Portfolio (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The decision by HP Inc to close its facility in Leixlip is regrettable. However, I understand that no redundancies have yet been made and that the company's operations at the site are continuing.  IDA Ireland has nevertheless already promoted the site to existing clients and potential investors and will continue to do so in the time ahead. I am hopeful...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Firstly, I recognise the impact that the recently announced closure by Longford Architectural Metalworks can have on a town like Longford and my thoughts are with the workers and their families affected by this announcement. The Midlands Regional Action Plans for Jobs, which covers Longford, Laois, Westmeath and Offaly, is aimed at maximising the strengths and assets of the region, to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Enterprise 2025 sets a roadmap for longer term enterprise development. Its development was informed by global drivers of change including globalisation, demographic, geo-political volatility and technological advances. The Action Plan for Jobs 2017 which I lead across Government and was published earlier this year sets ambitious targets and actions to be delivered as part of Enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department and its agencies are fully engaged in preparing for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ was launched in March.  The Scorecard is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit.  A recent survey of SMEs...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Schemes (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department, through Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices across the country provide a range of supports to help companies start, grow and export. Since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved via Enterprise Ireland for the development of CECs across the country.  CECs provide business space for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Competitiveness (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Ireland's improved competitiveness has been central to employment growth. In 2016, Ireland moved from 16th to seventh in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. Brexit means we must do more to enhance our attractiveness as a location to start, locate and grow a business. The National Competitiveness Council has undertaken a benchmarking exercise comparing Irish and UK...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Town and Village Renewal Scheme (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I launched the Framework for Town Centre Renewal in Sligo on 25th April.  The publication of the Framework represents a key deliverable for the Retail Consultation Forum, which I chair, under the Action Plan for Jobs 2017. The Framework will play an important part in the work to rejuvenate and revitalise towns and villages around the country. It will be a key support document...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The West Regional Action Plan for Jobs, which covers Roscommon, Galway and Mayo, is aimed at maximising the strengths and assets of the region, to support enterprise growth and job creation. We are seeing progress: 11,400 jobs have been created across these counties from the start of 2015 to end 2016. In Roscommon County, live register numbers have been falling - by 30% over the past 4...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Minimum Wage (16 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There is no evidence to suggest that there is a link between lower than expected tax receipts and low pay in new jobs. It is also notable that the proportion of employees reporting earnings at or below the national minimum wage has dropped very substantially, from 11.4% to 8.6%. The Low Pay Commission was established in 2015 to examine and make recommendations annually on the national...