Results 11,761-11,780 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Employment Support Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: I assume that by field staff the Deputy is referring to the grade of inspector whose primary responsibilities include the carrying out of inspections and other associated inquiries at places of work with a view to determining compliance with certain employment rights legislation. In accordance with commitments given under Towards 2016, the social partnership agreement, the number of...

Employment Support Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: The role of the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, is to ensure employment legislation is complied with and its purpose is to educate and inform to ensure companies are aware of their obligations and employees are aware of their entitlements. In this context there is a strong emphasis on information and education with programmes being rolled out in various sectors of the economy....

Employment Support Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: The most important point is that the language inspectors have been recruited and are being trained at the moment.

Employment Support Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: They have been recruited for training. This was a complex matter because it was necessary to ensure candidates had language skills and the selection process was detailed. It attracted huge interest.

Employment Support Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: That is correct but it is necessary to train people having found the level of language competency they possess. It is a complex area because they must be aware of compliance and employment rights legislation and when they are trained they will get their labour inspector warrants.

Employment Support Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: I cannot give a specific date but it will be soon and I will get back to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (27 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: I intend to go to the Council of Ministers' meeting on 5th December which will consider the Amended proposal for a Directive of The European Parliament and Council on temporary agency work.

Order of Business (27 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: Before the start of the next session.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Senators for their contributions. I want to outline the background to this debate. I was asked what I would like to discuss if I came before the Seanad. I thought about the area of social partnership and other areas under the auspices of the Department, including health and safety, but globalisation, in the context of the labour market and the economy, is fundamental to what we...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: A pertinent point was made about graduates and bringing skills into the country. Our labour market has benefited greatly from migration, mainly from eastern Europe, but there is a bigger issue at stake, namely, attracting graduates here from universities throughout the world. We will not compete in manufacturing alone. It is fundamental that we promote research and development and high end...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: ——is something this society cannot sustain in the long term. Reference was made to longevity. A recent statistic indicated that the average life expectancy of girls born this decade will be 100.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: That is a long way off but it is food for thought and will present us with many opportunities.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: We had a shortage, until recently, in the labour market but the skills and leadership levels these people have acquired over many years is something we will have to examine. That is in the context of the Green Paper on pensions and the way we deal with retirement. Should there be a cut-off point or should people be allowed phase out of the active labour market over a period of time and pass...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: ——were leaving this country but at least they were leaving with a reasonable education. I acknowledge, however, that a challenge remains in the area of adult literacy and numeracy, something we must address.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: We can talk about having a knowledge-based and an entrepreneurial society but if people do not have the basic fundamentals of being able to read and write, as well as basic computer skills, many of them will be left behind as we forge ahead. Senator Quinn highlighted a number of areas, which we accept, but in the context of what we are trying to achieve with the skills strategy, we examined...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: This is not to do with lifelong learning; it is to do with quality of life.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: I will refer to that towards the end of my contribution. We have a great deal to do in that context. The work environment must be family friendly. It must be conducive to employees looking forward to going to work and not impacting negatively on their quality of life and that of their families. We are examining that issue and it is hoped that in the next few months we will be rolling——

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: The report has been concluded. This is action. Senator Alex White was going well while referring to a number of issues, but then he mentioned the thorny subject of agency workers. I am glad I left time to address it.

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: Two issues are involved. Regarding the European directive, we gave a commitment in Towards 2016 that we would regulate agencies. In that context, we will introduce a Bill and a memorandum will soon be sent to the Government. The matter is taking time because there are issues regarding the European Court of Justice's findings on the free movement of goods and services throughout the EU and...

Seanad: The Irish Market in a Globalised Economy: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Billy Kelleher: The commitment is to have a framework shortly. The memorandum will go to the Government to ask for permission for a Bill to be drafted. The temporary agency workers directive will be discussed at the Council of Ministers meeting on 5 December. As I stated in a recent interview, Ireland will continue to play a proactive role in terms of our situation, what we are trying to achieve and...