25 June 2009 Edition

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Nuacht na nOibrithe

£2.5million investment in social enterprises

SINN FÉIN MLA Jennifer McCann, who is deputy-chair of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has welcomed the £2.5m investment by the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister into the social enterprise sector.
Jennifer said that all government departments must now maximise the support for this vital sector.
“This sector provides much-needed frontline services, particularly in areas of social and economic disadvantage and creates employment opportunities for people who have been economically inactive for a long time.
“A clear way to do this is to include social clauses in public procurement practices and specifications which can measure the social value of a project alongside its economic value. Government departments can ensure that social economy projects are not disadvantaged at any stage of the procurement process.”

 

Building firms’ pension schemes probed

THE Pensions Board, the Garda Fraud Squad and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement are investigating more than 150 construction companies in the 26 Counties as a result of allegations that they have not paid pension contributions from employees into their company pension scheme.
The Pensions Board will consider taking criminal prosecutions but their main objective is to secure the return of pension contributions that have been deducted by employers.
Fifty-seven companies investigated have said they will return the monies that were illegally taken from their employees and 40 have already done so. The majority of the cases came to the attention of the Pension Board as a result of ‘whistleblowers’.



IFA’s chicken complaint under fire

SOUTH DOWN Sinn Féin MLA Willie Clarke has defended a County Down poultry producer whose contract to supply the military in the 26 Counties was attacked by the Irish Farmers’ Association.
“Crossgar chickens are as Irish as Clonmel chickens,” Willie Clarke said. “and I’m quite frankly disappointed by the attitude of the IFA in relation to this issue.
“Crossgar Poultry is an all-Ireland company which provides jobs and services across the island. At this time of economic hardship we need a greater degree of support and harmonisation across Ireland in order to assist our indigenous business.
“I am calling on the IFA to reconsider their partitionist and negative position and work to assist our agricultural sector right across the country.”



Bus drivers serve strike notice

THE National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) has served strike notice on Bus Éireann this week over cutbacks and changes to work practices the company are trying to make.
From next Monday, drivers’ overtime will be reduced and the company is seeking a deferral of payments under state’s wage agreement. Some drivers are represented by SIPTU and although they have not served strike action, members will not cross picket lines.


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