Results 1,001-1,020 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Legislative Process (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department is currently consulting with a range of representative groups in the jewellery sector (including the Irish Jewellers Association) on the issue of possible amendments to the Hallmarking (Amendment) Bill 2016: these consultations will consider the issue of weight exemptions. Until that consultation is finalised, no definitive position can be adopted.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Relations Commission (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC merges the functions and activities of the former Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the Equality Tribunal, the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) and the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Portfolio (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Since the IDA purchased the Fermoy Business and Technology Park in 2002, the Agency has undertaken a number of initiatives to develop the attractiveness of the lands, including obtaining planning permission for the building of an advanced technology unit.  IDA Ireland regularly engages with both current and prospective clients to encourage further investment in Fermoy and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Retail Sector (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: As Chairperson to the Retail Consultation Forum, I am acutely aware of the importance of the sector to the economy and of the challenges facing the sector.  As our largest private industry employer on the island of Ireland, the retail and wholesale sector plays a vital role providing over 275,000 jobs supporting economic growth in every city, town and village in the country. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Operations (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Funds Industry acts as a specialist outsourcing service to the Global Investment Management Industry.  Within the industry, Ireland is a recognised global centre of excellence employing approximately 16,000 people.  Regulation of the industry under Irish and EU Law is controlled by the Central Bank who determine the type of activities undertaken in Ireland.  The Funds...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Training Fund (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I am acutely aware of the central importance of the competitiveness of our education and training systems to sustainable job creation, productivity growth and success in international trade. I also recognise that the current funding environment, in addition to the impending demographic bulge, demonstrates that there is a clear need for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Ireland Expenditure (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Enterprise Ireland is the Department's main agency for developing Irish business. As part of a broad suite of programmes the agency is responsible for driving an increase in the innovative capacity of Irish firms as well as support for start-up businesses. In 2016 Enterprise Ireland paid €31.5 million to pre-High Potential Start Ups and High Potential Start Ups (HPSUs).  This...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: As the Deputy is aware, my Department commissioned a survey, which was carried out by Behaviours and Attitudes in January, seeking the views of SMEs on the impact of Brexit on their businesses. This survey looked at the impact to date of Brexit and forward to the more medium term impacts (over the coming 18 months). My officials have been analysing this data to build a picture of the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Until it leaves the EU, the United Kingdom remains a full Member of the European Union, subject to all rights and obligations set out in the Treaties and under EU law, including the principle of sincere cooperation.  This means that they continue to participate in all EU meetings including Trade Policy Committees and have access to all EU documents on the same basis as other Member...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Fishing Industry (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The matters that arose in relation to non-EEA workers in the fishing industry required a cross-Departmental and cross agency response as different Departments and Agencies had the capacity to bring the necessary expertise, legislative powers and resources to bear on the issues that were brought to light. To this end an inter-Departmental Task Force was formed by the Government. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Third Level Funding (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department’s allocation to the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) in 2016 was €30.4m; this included a Supplementary Estimate of €20m in December 2016. The allocation in 2017 is €14.4m. The 2017 PRTLI allocation is being used to address the existing liabilities under PRTLI Cycle 5. There were 33 projects funded under Cycle 5, of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Staff Data (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Staffing levels of my Department, its Offices and Agencies reflect the requirement to manage the pay bill and staff numbers in accordance with Government pay policy with staff resources deployed in the most effective and efficient manner as appropriate to business needs and key priorities at any given time. An additional €3million was secured in respect of Pay in Budget 2017 and is...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland Data (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) supports approximately 500 award holders across its portfolio of research programmes. The portfolio includes both investigator initiated and thematic calls, project grants and large-scale Research Centre awards, short and long-term funding, support for early career researchers, emerging and established research leaders, individual and collaborative awards....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Supports (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: IDA Ireland is making good progress towards its target of increasing the level of investment in each region by 30% to 40% by 2019.  In 2016, 52% of all Agency supported jobs created were based outside of Dublin. While IDA Ireland does everything in its power to ensure an even spread of investments, it is important to realise that the ultimate decision on location rests solely with...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Functions (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It is recognised at national and EU-level that the biggest challenge often faced by innovative companies is finding a first customer, rather than securing funding for Research and Innovation. At the EU-level, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020 has two programmes designed to address this challenge, namely Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The UK’s decision to leave the EU is regrettable and it will undoubtedly present challenges for Ireland because of the significant amount of trade between our two countries. Our strategies are designed to keep companies and jobs in Ireland and we are fully focused on this objective. I am deeply engaged with my Department’s agencies - Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1414 and 1422 together. The vote by the UK to leave the European Union has potential job creation opportunities for Ireland, particularly in the financial services sector.  However, quantifying job numbers for Dublin at this point is not possible. The Government through the IDA will continue to pursue all new opportunities to attract mobile...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland Staff (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) have designated three new posts to have specific Brexit related responsibilities and duties.  These posts have been enabled by an increase in the Foundation’s pay allocation in 2017 for Brexit specific recruitment.  While these posts have yet to be filled, recruitment is currently underway. Furthermore, a number of current SFI staff also...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Directives (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Directive 93/13/EEC on Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts was given effect by the European Communities (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 27/1995), the "Principal Regulations". The Directive has since been given further effect by the following enactments: the European Communities (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (2 May 2017)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The EU’s suite of Free Trade Agreements with third Countries help to open new markets, break down barriers and provide new opportunities for Irish firms.  These existing EU Agreements and new trade deals will continue to be important for Ireland.  With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth. Ireland will...