Irish Presidency secures agreement on key remaining part of Single Market Act I - Minister Bruton

Boost to SMEs as Accounting Directive will reduce admin burden 

Increased transparency with inclusion of “country-by-country" reporting 

The agreement secured yesterday in Brussels by the Irish Presidency on the Accounting Directive is another major step in reducing red tape for European SMEs, according to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, current chair of the Competitiveness Council. The Directive is one of the final outstanding parts of the Single Market Act I.

One of the Directive’s key proposals is the simplification of accounting rules for SMEs. Among the measures contained in the draft Directive are the reduction of reporting requirements for SMEs and the introduction of an exemption from preparing consolidated financial statements for small groups.

Minister Bruton commented: “The priorities of the Irish Presidency are stability, jobs and growth. At the heart of this Directive is the drive to cut red tape and reduce the administrative burden on SMEs. That is why this agreement is so important. The more we can reduce red tape, the more we free up business to grow and create jobs.”

“The Irish Presidency has prioritised the implementation of the outstanding pieces of Single Market legislation. Already the Irish Presidency has signed off on the Unified Patent Court Agreement. I will continue to push for progress on the remaining SMA I measures because full implementation of these measures has massive potential to boost economic growth and create jobs.”

The Directive also incorporates a number of measures designed to enhance financial transparency. The provisions made for Country-by-Country Reporting will dramatically increase the transparency of payments made to governments by European companies involved in the extractive industries.  The Reports will assist the citizens of resource-rich countries in holding their governments to account for the use made of payments received from EU undertakings active in the extractive industries or in the exploitation of primary forests.

The agreement reached today will require final approval by the Committee of Permanent Representatives

2,000 additional ICT graduates to be provided in the coming year as part of Government drive to make Ireland the internet capital of Europe – Minister Quinn, Minister Bruton

Target of 700 additional employment permits in ICT sector under new reforms driven by Minister Bruton

An additional 1,300 graduates from industry led programmes delivered by Minister Quinn

A total of 2,000 additional ICT graduates-level professionals will be provided in the coming year through the education system and the employment permits system, as part of a series of reforms aimed at making Ireland the internet capital of Europe. The reforms are being driven by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, and the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD.

The changes are part of Action Plan for Jobs 2013, and have an ultimate aim of providing Ireland with the highest proportion of ICT graduates as a share of third level graduates by 2018.

The Ministers made the announcements today [Wednesday] at Version 1, a leading Irish ICT company. Based in Dublin, it employs over 350 people and has hired several people in senior technology positions through the employment permits system in recent years. This has allowed the company to win new business and ultimately create new jobs. Version 1 is also announcing today that it is hiring ten people, who have all graduated from the new ICT conversion courses.

A series of new reforms to the employment permits system announced today by Minister Bruton will target:
·        An increase of 50%, or 700, in the number of employment permits granted over the coming year in the ICT sector. International research has shown that for every high-tech job created, a further 4-5 jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.
·        A reduction of 33% in the processing time for employment permits
·        Improvements in the appeals process and a reduction in the number of appeals
·        Broadening the highly-skilled eligible occupations list
·        Improved customer service and communications
·        Other areas where there is also a shortage of sufficient skilled talent

The employment permit system is demand-led and there is a global demand for high-tech skills. Therefore the changes being made to the system seek to increase Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for international mobile talent.

Under the ICT Skills Action Plan published by Ministers Quinn and Bruton last year, an additional 1,300 ICT graduates will be supplied in 2013 by the education system, including:

·        700 additional graduates from ICT skills conversion Programmes
·        600 additional graduates from Springboard ICT courses.
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, said:
“The ICT sector forms a key part of the Government’s plans for jobs and growth, and since we have come to office we have seen an increase of more than 11,000 in the number of people at work in this sector. We in Government are determined to sustain this growth with ambitious action to make Ireland the internet capital of Europe. In order to do this we must have structures in place, through the employment permits system as well as the education system, to ensure that Irish and multinational businesses in the sector cancan hire the skilled workers they need in Ireland.

“International research has shown that every high-tech job created leads to an additional 4-5 jobs elsewhere in the economy. 50% of companies in Silicon Valley are started by non-US citizens. These changes are a win-win for Ireland, and help will ensure that we can create a truly world-class ICT sector in Ireland, which will provide enormous benefits for the economy and large numbers of badly-needed jobs for Irish workers. I am determined that, through implementation of a range of ambitious reforms we will deliver on our aim of making Ireland the internet capital of Europe.

“I wish to pay tribute to a range of senior industry figures, in particular Sean O’Sullivan, for their work in helping to develop these proposals”.

Minister Quinn TD said: “The first 400 graduates from the ICT conversion programmes are now available.  The decision by Version 1 to recruit 10 of these graduates demonstrates the potential that exists to significantly expand the pool of talent available to the ICT sector“.

A further 300 graduates from  the conversion programmes will be available before the end of the year as well as 600 graduates from high level Springboard ICT programmes. The impact of these initiatives will be to double the projected output of honours degree level ICT graduates from the education system in 2013.

Commenting further, the Minister said: “By working together to design and deliver the ICT conversion programmes, industry and the higher education system are helping to create tangible employment opportunities for graduates in key growth areas of the economy.”

New building regulations will hold those responsible for shoddy work to account

Measures will ensure that work is completed to appropriate standards helping to eradicate pyrite homes in the future

Fine Gael Meath East Deputy, Regina Doherty, has said the new control measures for building projects which have been introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, will hold building professionals to account, holding them legally liable for shoddy or substandard work.

Deputy Doherty went on to say that these new building regulations will help to eradicate poor performance by designers and developers into the future and should help to eradicate the construction of pyritic homes which have caused untold heartache for the people of Meath and beyond.

“The Building Control Amendment Regulations 2013 will help to address the legacy issues associated with our desperately poorly regulated housing sector. By putting proper measures in place and ensuring that the people with responsibility for certain aspects of construction are doing their jobs, we can help to restore faith to the industry and give consumers the confidence they need when buying a home.

“The appointment of Assigned Certifiers, who can be registered architects, engineers or building surveyors, will ensure that at every stage of development, construction is going according to plan. By ensuring that designers, builders and Assigned Certifiers sign mandatory certificates of compliance, stating that a finished building complies with the regulations, the onus is on the professional to deliver a quality service. Failure to do so means that they can be held legally responsible for the consequences of their shoddy workmanship, putting the consumer back in the driving seat.

“I also welcome the Minister’s commitment to review construction project-related insurance, as was recommended by the Report of the independent Pyrite Panel. Minister Hogan has written to the Minister for Enterprise, Richard Bruton TD, and to relevant public bodies, seeking participation at an early date in the review to deal with insurance cover for buildings during and after construction. This could go some way to addressing the concerns and working out remedies for consumers if irregularities and building failures occur.”

Doherty welcomes expanded remit for children’s Ombudsman

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement that the Ombudsman for Children’s remit will be expanded at the end of this month to include a wide range of State bodies that were previously outside the investigatory remit of the Ombudsman’s office.

“I warmly welcome today’s announcement which will expand the remit of the Ombudsman for Children to include a number of State bodies which previously did not fall under its remit, under the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012. It also means that public bodies that are established or reconstituted in the future will be automatically included under the Ombudsman’s remit.

“This is another important step forward in ensuring our children receive all the protection and assistance that they need to get the challenges they face in life. There are many parents across the country who have been struggling for years trying to have issues relating to their children investigated by an independent body, but because the agencies they were dealing with did not fall within the remit of the children’s Ombudsman, their cries were falling on deaf ears.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge the inclusion of the National Council for Special Education under the Ombudsman for Children. This is a matter close to my heart and I am delighted that parents will now have recourse for issues relating to their children with special needs.”

Housing Grants Schemes Closing date

The final date for receipt of applications for Mobility Aids Grant, Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and Housing Aid for Older People Grant will be FRIDAY, 12th APRIL 2013.

Meath County Council
Housing Grants Scheme
Mobility Aids Grant
Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability
Housing Aid for Older People Grant 

Due to reduction in central funding for 2013, Meath County Council hereby gives notice that the final date for receipt of applications under the above scheme will be FRIDAY, 12^th APRIL  2013. 

Meath County Council will endeavour to approve as many applications as possible from those on hand at Friday, 12^th April 2013 and will prioritise such applications on the basis of medical need and / or works requirement, as appropriate. 

N.B.     APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE OF FRIDAY, 12^TH APRIL 2013 WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND WILL BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT/S

Introducing Helen McEntee, Meath East Bye Election Candidate

Helen McEntee selected as FG’s candidate for Meath East Bye-election

Helen McEntee, daughter of the late TD, Shane McEntee, has tonight (Thursday) been selected as Fine Gael’s candidate for the Meath East Bye-election. Helen was chosen unopposed as the Party’s candidate at a selection convention in Kells.

 

Speaking following her selection, Helen said: ‘I am delighted to have been chosen by Fine Gael to run in the Bye-election to fill the seat left vacant in Meath East by the death of my father. I want to continue his good work by dealing with the issues that matter most to the people of Meath East’.
 

“I could never hope to fill my father’s shoes. But I can promise to work just as hard as he did. He was an incredible man with a passionate determination to serve his community. For the last two and a half years, I have been working with Dad to help address the challenges facing people in Meath East. I will continue this work with the same level of commitment and determination if elected to Dáil Eireann.

 

“I’m looking forward to meeting as many people as possible over the next three weeks right across the constituency. I’ll be kick starting my campaign first thing in the morning and I can’t wait to get it underway.”

 

Director of Elections, Frances Fitzgerald TD, said: ‘Helen is an impressive and committed candidate. I have no doubt she will be extremely dedicated TD if elected to Dáil Eireann. She has first-hand experience on the real issues facing families and all the people in this community. The entire Fine Gael organisation – including YFG, Councillors, Senators, TDs and Ministers - will be involved in campaigning for a No. 1 vote for Helen McEntee on March 27th’.
 

Campaign Manager and Meath West TD, Damien English, said: ‘Helen has the experience, the academic credentials and the dedication to make a great TD. She has worked with her Dad over the last two and a half years on a range of issues facing Meath East from pyrite to pylons, and the challenges facing small businesses. Fine Gael will be running a vigorous campaign between now and March 27^th to secure a great result for Helen and the people of Meath East’.

Constitution Convention Seeking Submissions on Same Sex Marriage in Advance of Next Meeting

The Chairperson of the Constitutional Convention, Mr Tom Arnold, has today urged people to submit any suggestions, proposals or comments they have regarding the issue of same sex marriage ahead of the Convention’s examination of the issue at its next meeting on the 13^th April.

Tom Arnold said:
“One of the central principles of the Convention is that it is a citizens' forum, so I am calling for people to engage with the Convention by making their views known on what is a very important subject for many in Irish society today.

We are keen that the Convention’s deliberations and subsequent decisions are properly informed. Therefore, we want to hear from all sides of the debate regarding the proposal to make a constitutional provision for same-sex marriage.

I am strongly encouraging organisations, citizens and the diaspora to make their voices heard.�€

Submissions, proposals and comments must be received by 19^th March, 2013. To make a submission or to find out additional details on the Convention’s work go to www.constitution.ie

The meetings of the Convention will be broadcast live on line.

NATIONAL TREE WEEK 2013

NATIONAL TREE WEEK 2013 - "Seachtain Náisiúnta na gCrann” “A Feast of Trees” “Féile Na gCrann” National Tree Week will take place from 3rd to 9th March 2013.

Meath County Council will be distributing bare root saplings to community groups, voluntary groups, schools, etc.(not suitable for most housing estates). to mark the occasion. These include beech, rowan, alder and oak.

If you would like some of these saplings, please contact Peter Brady, Environmental Awareness Officer in Meath County Council at pbrady@meathcoco.ie to register your interest.

The saplings will be distributed on Tuesday March 5th 2013 at Kells Recycling Centre, Lloyd Business Park from 11am – 1pm.

You might consider taking a walk in one of the many amenities in Meath during this week and enjoy the many varieties of trees----Balrath Woods (near Kentstown), Dalgan Park (Navan), Littlewoods in Slane (on Collon Road), Ramparts in Navan, Loughcrew Gardens in Oldcastle, Canal Walk in Enfield.

Two guided walks will take place in Dalgan Park, Navan on Saturday 9th March, 2013 hosted by Mr. Gerard Clarke (Columban Fathers and Crann Ireland). Walks will be at 11.00 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Light Refreshments after walks.

Slane Tidy Towns pub quiz, Friday, 8th of March, at The Village Inn