Results 1,041-1,060 of 1,150 for speaker:Frank Fahey

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: If the Senators would listen, what I am saying is——

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: That is true and it is a very good thing. The extra 2,500 places being provided under the rural farm assist scheme will enable 1,300 people already on CE schemes to be transferred to that scheme. A further 1,200 who would otherwise be accessing CE will now be in the new farm scheme.

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: These are an extra 2,500 places in addition to the 30,000 already there. I am acutely conscious that quite a number of people have been on CE schemes on a continual basis. Under this new programme there will be a much greater focus on training and extra funding is being invested therein. There will be greater emphasis on training as opposed to the work experience element of community...

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: ——as in the case of Mountbellew, where two different schemes were in operation. There has been agreement——

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: I am speaking about the structures involved in the organisation of those schemes. There were previously two schemes in Mountbellew and these will amalgamate. It does not make any sense to have two CE schemes operating side by side in a small town such as Mountbellew.

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: I have spoken to people involved in schemes. They recognise there must be efficiency, cost effectiveness and value for the work being done. As Senator Ross stated, we are spending——

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: We are spending €351 million this year on the community employment schemes and that is a considerable sum of money. We must ensure value for money and that the jobs being provided through CE are productive.

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: We are not taking any line; we are simply ensuring there is value for money and that the communities being assisted receive good service——

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: In the unlikely event that were to happen, I am sure Senator Burke would wish me well or perhaps it is wishful thinking on his part.

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: It is very important to ensure that volunteerism, which has been the bedrock of rural communities in particular, is not replaced. It was beginning to be replaced because CE programmes were simply providing for services that people formerly provided themselves. The new approach will be to help communities who want to help themselves. Where there is a good culture of volunteerism, we will give...

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: The figures will prove they have been successful. Job creation is being achieved in job black spots as a result of retraining, upskilling and further education. There is ample evidence that as a result of retraining and upskilling, people who formerly worked in menial jobs in companies which did not pay well, are now in new, better paid jobs. I acknowledge there is still a major problem in...

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: It remains to be seen who came out badly. I assure Senator Burke that since I entered this Department I have worked very hard to build on the good work being done in community employment schemes around the country. We make them more effective and ensure that those on community employment schemes emerge——

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: I am quite satisfied that the changes have been good. I will reply to the Senator's taunts. If he ever gets the opportunity to serve in Government, it seems he will not be prepared to show the courage to make changes——

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: If the Senator is not prepared to stand up and fight——

Seanad: FÁS Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (28 Jan 2004)

Frank Fahey: If the Senator wants to be personal about being thumbed down, I suggest that if he had a little more courage he would be sitting in the other House instead of this House today.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Frank Fahey: The Bill has changed little since it was passed by the Seanad in February. On foot of an amendment by Deputy Upton, section 6 and the Title were amended to include the Irish language version in the name of the foundation – Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann. Deputy Upton also proposed an amendment to section 14(3) which provides that the foundation, rather than the director general, shall...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Frank Fahey: I thank Senators for their support in the passing of this Bill and goodwill in the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland. I thank the staff of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for their assistance in drafting the legislation as well as the staff of my Department which has done such a wonderful job in the preparation and honing of the Bill....

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Frank Fahey: Senators will recall that when this Bill was going through the House last month, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, undertook on my behalf to report back to the Seanad about any amendments made on Committee Stage in the Dáil. In that regard, I am pleased to update Senators today on developments in relation to the Bill. I appreciate the constructive discussion that...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Frank Fahey: The Committee Stage debate in the Dáil, which took place on the evening of 2 July, lasted for two hours. Some 43 amendments were discussed, eight of which were Government amendments. They were designed to improve the thrust of the Bill and I would briefly like to outline their effect to the House. The Government put down two amendments to section 6, which deals with the conditions of the...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

Frank Fahey: I thank Senators for their co-operation in finally passing the Bill. In response to Senator Leyden, we are preparing an information booklet. The details will be displayed on the departmental website and it will be available through the employment rights information unit in my Department. The information will be widely available. The legislation gives new rights to employees across all...