Results 18,121-18,140 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Retention (24 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: This project falls outside of the remit of my Department. I understand that representatives of Shannon LNG have had meetings with government officials in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to discuss various issues. Along with Government colleagues, I am supportive of the proposal by Shannon LNG to construct a LNG terminal near Ballylongford, County Kerry,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (24 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: The EU Commission’s mandate to negotiate with the United States on a free trade agreement includes in its scope (paragraphs 22 and 23), investment protection. The stated aim of negotiations on investment is to secure the highest levels of liberalisation and highest standards of protection that both sides have negotiated to date. The mandate makes it clear that the inclusion of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (24 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: Our recovery since 2011 is founded on a deliberate policy of driving export growth across the economy and supporting successful Irish based enterprises in international markets and the measures we have taken have resulted in strong year on year growth in our export performance. Export performance is driven by many factors, including the prevailing economic conditions of our key trading...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Data Protection (19 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: No legislation was introduced in my Department from 1 January 2000 to date, which contains provision amending the Data Protection Acts to allow for the transfer of personal or other data collected, retained and processed by the State for a particular purpose towards another specific purpose.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies (19 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: A substantial programme of reform has been accomplished within my Department in relation to Agencies and public bodies including the merger, reform and abolition of bodies as set out under the Government’s Agency Rationalisation Programme. The Low Pay Commission was established on 26th February 2015, initially on an interim basis, and subsequently on a statutory basis under the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (19 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: There are 13 defined benefit pension schemes for employees of a number of bodies that come under my Department’s remit as listed below. All are “pay-as-you-go” schemes (i.e. are unfunded schemes where the ability to pay pensions in the future is essentially underwritten by the government) and are not, therefore, in deficit. 1. IDA Ireland Superannuation Scheme 2....

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (18 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy. The period of the crash has sharpened the agencies. IDA Ireland is to be complimented on its enhanced regional focus and the stronger connections it has built between its regional presence and its offices on the front line in various countries. It has also build a particularly strong network around the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, where it has unrivalled...

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (18 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: I thank Deputy Joe Carey for raising this issue. His portrayal of the situation is accurate and balanced. Our first thoughts are with the workers in Roche in terms of the uncertainty they face. However, we have a good track-record in working on difficult issues like this one and I am confident for the future. Last week's announcement of the company's intention to exit the plant was...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Technological Universities (18 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: I thank Senator Cullinane for raising this issue. From my own work in the region I know it is regarded as being pivotal for the long-term development of the south east. To be fair, when the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 was published back in January 2011, there was a clear roadmap as to what needed to be done. The journey was clearly mapped out and it recommended the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Technological Universities (18 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: First of all, the two institutions have been very important in this regard. I have worked to try to drive employment creation in the region. It is gratifying to see that in the last three years 24,000 extra people are at work in the south east. I have also worked with both colleges in supporting new enterprises - one in China with Carlow Institute of Technology, and several from Waterford...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Industrial Development (18 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: I am aware of the issue and I have met some of the people involved. IDA Ireland is working hard with the local authority to find a solution to this. It is correct that this is a frustrating experience for a number of companies at Parkmore business park. It has been a successful park with companies such as Metronic, Merit Medical, Celestica and Creganna. The pressure has built against a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Industrial Development (18 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: I agree with the Senator that timeliness is essential.. I fully recognise there are different bodies involved with different demands, standards and expectations to meet and they have to make sure that agreed proposal is robust within the context of the demands which are rightly placed on them.We have to work within that. There has been good engagement on both sides. There is a willingness...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Retention (18 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: Last week’s announcement of the company’s intention to exit the plant was very disappointing. This factory has been in operation there since 1974, providing substantial levels of employment since then, with the workforce now standing at 240 employees. The company is proposing to seek a buyer for the site. The announcement by Roche that it is planning to exit the site and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Community Enterprise Centres (17 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: My understanding is that this Network is a community organisation. The only supports available for non-commercial bodies through Enterprise Ireland are through the competitive calls of the Community Enterprise Initiative. In May, I launched the €5million Community Enterprise Initiative fund which was open to groups and organisations in every county that came together with ideas for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Fuel Quality (17 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: I understand that the legislative responsibility for fuel quality lies with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government under S.I 155 of 2011. My Department has no function in this matter. Customs and Excise comes under the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners and the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permit Applications (12 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: An application for a General Employment Permit in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy was received in Employment Permits Section on 30thJanuary 2015 and was rejected and returned at pre-check stage on that date as the prescribed form had not been filled in completely and all the required information was not supplied. A further application for a General Employment Permit in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (12 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: I am informed by IDA Ireland that it is actively seeking an investment for the new building in Garrycastle, and it is confident of a positive outcome. Property is one of the key considerations for clients when choosing a location, and the availability of such a building in Garrycastle will be an additional positive element in the overall offering of the Midlands. The new advance factory in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Regional Development (11 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: Given the extensive nature of the Shannon Estuary, it adjoins three local authorities i.e. Clare County Council, Limerick City and County Council and Kerry County Council, who coordinate and control land-use planning and development on its landward sides. Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) has statutory responsibility for all commercial maritime activities on the Shannon Estuary. A...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Public Investment Projects (11 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: IDA Ireland provides capital funding to client companies to support investments and job creation and runs a capital property programme to attract and facilitate investment throughout the country. The total grant payments on a county basis for the period 2011-2014 are provided in the following table 1. Figures for 2015 will be available in 2016. In the period 2011-2014, there were a total of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Site Visits (10 Nov 2015)

Richard Bruton: There were 2 site visits to Co. Longford and 22 site visits to Co. Westmeath in 2015 so far. The numbers of site visits to both counties for the years 2011 to 2014 are set out in the tabular statement. It is important to note that data on site visits is not a true measure of the level of FDI activity in a region or county. Approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes...