Results 1,721-1,740 of 4,491 for speaker:John Perry

Seanad: Student Grants (10 Nov 2011)

John Perry: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and thank Senator Mullen for raising it. The Senator refers to a change which was introduced in the 2010 student grant schemes. I understand that changes to the 2010 schemes were announced in advance when the grant schemes were published in July 2009 so that students and their...

Seanad: Student Grants (10 Nov 2011)

John Perry: On that point, I advise the Senator to take up the matter directly with the Minister. Clearly, that is an exceptional point that the Deputy has brought to the attention of the Minister. Three years charitable work abroad for people in need is an extraordinary achievement and I compliment all those who do it. In this specific case, I advise the Senator to contact the Minister directly. I...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

John Perry: I thank all Deputies who spoke on the Bill for their very useful contributions to the debate. First, I welcome Deputies' broad expression of support for the content of the Bill. I also look forward to examining the amendments that Deputies indicated their parties will propose on Committee Stage and which the Minister, Deputy Bruton, will certainly consider. I remind Deputies that the focus...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Referral to Select Committee (9 Nov 2011)

John Perry: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) (6)(a).

Debt Settlement and Mortgage Resolution Office Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)

John Perry: That is the legacy Fianna Fáil bequeathed us.

Job Losses (19 Oct 2011)

John Perry: I listened very actively to the Deputies' concerns. Our primary concern is for the workers who will eventually face redundancy. In that context, the timeframe announced by Aviva for its restructuring programme at least provides some assistance to workers. The State development companies will work actively in every way possible to minimise job losses. We must provide assistance to workers,...

Job Losses (19 Oct 2011)

John Perry: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. First and foremost, my thoughts are with the hundreds of workers in Aviva and their families who heard this news today. Subject to the conclusion of negotiations between the company and the workers over the coming six months, the full support of the Government and its relevant agencies will be at the disposal of the workers affected by the...

Community and Voluntary Sector: Motion (Resumed) (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: In his remarks to the House yesterday evening, Deputy Penrose underlined the Government's strong appreciation of the role of the community and voluntary sector in Irish society. As a practitioner who in 1990 set up one of Ireland's first community economic development companies and is still active in this area, I am very much aware of the critical role of the community and voluntary sector...

Community and Voluntary Sector: Motion (Resumed) (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: It is not rhetoric. We know it. The Deputy is full of rhetoric.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: My Department does not compile specific annual statistics on the number of new business start-ups that have commenced trading in the State nor their geographic location. Such business start-ups would not be required to be advised to my Department or to the agencies reporting to me. Responsibility for statistical information rests with the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The latest CSO...

Public Procurement (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: In 2008 a total of 70% of Irish public procurement contracts were awarded to foreign companies. A significant number of contracts which are below the EU threshold are advertised at national level and notice of contracts worth €25,000 or more are placed on the Government's e-tender website. A multiple of further contracts worth less than €25,000 are advertised more locally and this...

Public Procurement (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: Deputy Tóibín is correct. Many issues will have to be dealt with such as, risk aversion of contracting bodies, buyers committed to procurement processes, focus on the lowest cost and the long-term value, overly restrictive pre-qualifying criteria, no policing of guidelines and further training requirement for procurement officers. The Government is aware of the issues that have prevented...

Business Supports (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, has introduced an internship programme which has been very effective as can be seen by looking at the uptake and the opportunity provided by the scheme for SMEs. The 200,000 small companies that employ 900,000 people are the backbone of our economy. We must recognise the services and manufacturing sectors and we have a deep understanding,...

Business Supports (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: I come from a business background where it is said: "No problem, no business." There will always be problems, even if the Deputy assumes it is as easy as he assumes it is to solve the problem. The Government has clearly come up with a radical plan to encourage business people to hold onto staff. It has done the same with regard to the banking issue, through placing John Trethowan in charge...

Business Supports (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: It is not a simple issue. Deputy Burton has initiated a very good internship programme and I guarantee there will be a lot more placements on it.

Public Procurement (12 Oct 2011)

John Perry: Last July, the Minister, Deputy Bruton, established a steering group on SME access to public procurement, to examine what more can be done to improve SME participation in tendering for public contracts. The steering group comprises the key players in the public procurement arena, including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the National Procurement Service, Enterprise Ireland,...

Social Partnership (11 Oct 2011)

John Perry: There will be no verbiage anyway.

Ministerial Staff (11 Oct 2011)

John Perry: What about all the consultants the previous Government used to employ?

Ministerial Staff (11 Oct 2011)

John Perry: Amnesia.

Ministerial Staff (11 Oct 2011)

John Perry: Fianna Fáil left this legacy.