Results 341-360 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Health and Safety Regulations (17 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 22 of the Dangerous Substances 1972 deals with the marking of containers of petroleum-spirit (other than the fuel tank of an engine). It states that every container shall be clearly and conspicuously marked with the words "Petroleum- Spirit" and "Highly Inflammable". I have been informed by the Health and Safety (HSA) that they have not specifically targeted, or taken action,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Data (17 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland, the European Union and other EEA states. Policy in relation to the application and granting of employment permits remains focused on facilitating the recruitment from outside the EEA of highly skilled personnel, where the requisite skills cannot be met by normal...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Data (17 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The IDA Ireland Business Park in Drogheda is home to one IDA Ireland client - International Fund Services who employ approximately 250 people. There are 19 hectares of serviced, zoned and master planned land currently available in the park. This is marketed as appropriate to any potential investors. The Agency has also identified a 3.5 hectare site within the park that may be suitable for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices Data (17 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together. In 2016, the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Wexford approved 28 enterprise grants – feasibility, priming and business expansion – in total for the year, to a value of €389,034. The approvals included 11 business expansion grants totalling €187,269 for its clients. This equates to an average grant amount of...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: What is very clear in the budgetary figures is that the total figure for implementing those developments we have been speaking about under A Vision for Change has been costed at €105 million, and that is now allocated between the budgets going up to 2019. The Minister has made it absolutely clear to the HSE that this is the funding it will have so it can plan, prepare and recruit...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Quite a number of initiatives were announced as part of the budget by the Minister, Deputy Murphy, on Tuesday.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have removed many of the obstacles to affordable supply.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is very important to acknowledge this.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Budget 2018 removes remaining significant obstacles to the building of more homes more quickly and at more affordable prices through a number of measures, for example, by investing more in direct housebuilding, removing the capital gains tax initiative to hold on to residential land, escalating penalties for land hoarding, introducing new affordability measures and providing a new, more...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This will ensure that the new supply is delivered at more affordable prices.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The various initiatives that have been taken will ensure a more affordable supply of housing. Home Building Finance Ireland, the new entity announced by the Minister, will provide finance at commercially competitive rates for developers with sites ready to go. The second local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, of €50 million will also make a difference. A whole range of...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----next year and beyond.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Mental health and dealing with mental health issues must be priorities for any society. I absolutely accept the point Deputy Murphy makes in this regard because of the personal cost and the societal cost of mental health issues and the personal suffering. As a Government, we want to support in whatever way we can the development of proper mental health services throughout the country. A...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I assure the Deputy that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Taoiseach and all other Ministers are very conscious of the situation he has outlined, the potential threat that exists and the possible impact it could have on the beef industry at a very difficult time. We will be working very hard, in particular with like-minded countries, to ensure we get the best deal...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The best message from the Government to the next generation is that we have a republic of opportunity, which is created by managing the economy and ensuring there is money to invest in services. If the economy is not managed properly there will not be funding available to invest in services such as education and the others the Deputy mentioned. The budget contained the highest-ever...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the timeframe I outlined, I stated the Minister would make some recommendations later this year. The 2020 date related to the implementation of the total contribution action, TCA, to replace the yearly average approach. The Minister is working with her Department on the detailed development of that with a view to making proposals for consideration later in the year. It is worth...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Many other budgetary decisions were taken this year which were important in increasing income for working families, reducing taxes for those in work and supporting families in a whole range of other ways. This is a particularly challenging issue. I have already accepted that we do not want discriminatory elements in pension provision.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Women have to deal with the impact of this on an ongoing basis. The Government is examining the issues and, in particular, the Minister in the context of the total contribution approach. She is conscious of this particular issue for women who have gaps in their contribution record which impacts on their current pension.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The new €300 million Brexit loan scheme will ensure there is affordable financing available to businesses which are either currently impacted by Brexit or could be in the future. For example, it could apply to the type of firms and businesses referred to by the Deputy which have a high dependence on the UK market and whose supply chain could be disrupted by Brexit. The scheme is...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have said to the Deputy that any gender-based discrimination is unacceptable in terms of any of our policies and approaches. This is a serious issue for women who took time out. Some women are suffering every year in their pensions because of this. We are all very familiar with the individual cases. What I am pointing out is that to resolve this anomaly, I am informed that an overall...