Results 10,801-10,820 of 12,082 for speaker:Mary Butler

Home Care Packages: Motion [Private Members] (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: We are all now, thankfully, living longer, and most of us will live independently for the rest of our lives. Less than 5% of all the elderly require care late in life, and all parties agree that every effort should be made to facilitate this in so far as possible in the comfort and security of their own homes. Fianna Fáil believes that the funding allocated to enable older people to...

Home Care Packages: Motion [Private Members] (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: They come from west Cork.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business of Joint Committee (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Apologies have been received from Deputy Maurice Quinlivan and Senator Paul Gavan. I propose that we go into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: I remind members, visitors and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely or left in flight mode for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the recording and broadcasting equipment, even when left in silent mode. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: I call Mr. Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland to make his opening statement. The last time he was before the committee, he was concerned about VAT rates. He must be smiling today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: I thank Mr. Cummins for his presentation and I invite Mr. Stapleton to make his opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: I thank all three delegations for their submissions. The common denominator is the skills shortage and the lack of skilled labour.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: It varies among local authorities. Waterford County Council took a proactive approach by reducing the outdoor seating charge in Dungarvan by 75%. I accept Dublin city is different with higher footfall involved. However, it varies among local authorities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Mr. Cummins's point is that it is an added cost to doing business.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: This issue was addressed when the hotel industry was before the committee. At the hotel which I normally use when in Dublin, I was quoted €279 for a room during the All-Ireland hurling final weekend, much higher than the usual weekend rate. There are areas in which it will be important to retain the 9% rate. However, the committee has heard there are some abuses of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: I have a question before I let Deputy Neville back in on this issue. I was a member of the original committee dealing with housing and homelessness before the Government was formed and at that time it was difficult to ascertain the cost of building a house. Mr. Parlon stated that 45% of the cost of building is the hard cost, 40% is tax related, including VAT and so on, and there are then...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Mr. Parlon addressed the undersupply of housing and all members know there is a huge issue in the country in that regard. He also discussed the fast-track planning that decreased a period of approximately two and a half years to perhaps just over a year. Does he get a sense of the required urgency from the Department? We get it from the Minister but does he get it from the Department?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Are there people in Mr. Parlon's industry who will build affordable houses as opposed to social housing or other accommodation? Affordable housing is what we are missing. Does the CIF have people in the industry-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Mr. Cummins referred to inspections by EHOs. He said that one official might arrive in the morning to check something and another might arrive in the afternoon to check something else and, therefore, there is a lack of joined-up thinking. Are there fees associated with those inspections?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: Would Mr. Stapleton like to contribute at this point? I was going to ask about wind and solar energy but it has already been addressed. Mr. Stapleton said there is a lack of skilled workers. Is it specific to one type of farming such as the dairy industry or is it across all sectors?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: I thank all the witnesses. That concludes our discussion for today. I thank all the witnesses for coming in and engaging with the committee. The exchange was very informative. We will invite the witnesses back when we produce our document, which I believe will happen at the start of February. We will have the launch on Thursday of our document on the non-EEA crew in the Irish fishing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: The joint committee is now adjourned until January 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (12 Dec 2017)

Mary Butler: 181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will be considered for an application for summer works scheme 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52996/17]