The National Employer Survey, published today, is a pilot survey undertaken on behalf of the HEA to ascertain employers views on graduates of higher education institutions in Ireland. | The European Commission’s FP7 initiativie is designed to kick-start innovation by making €50 billion available to fund RD&I. A €8.1 billion funding package was announced in July 2012. | At the EU-US summit in Washington, the EU and US announced the creation of a reflection group led by the USTR and the EU Trade Commissioner to examine possibilities for a future trade agreement. | A review of the European Working Time Directive has been under discussion for the past five years. The main issues in contention are those regarding on-call time, opt-out and sick leave. | Budget 2013 is largely well balanced, focusing on expenditure measures and broadening the tax base. By mostly not increasing taxes on work it will have a limited impact on jobs and growth. | EU Energy Efficiency Legislation Agreed |
The Irish Environmental Protection Agency recently published for consultation a draft of its fourth Strategic Plan, which covers the three-year period to 2015. | On 17 November 2011, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Brendan Howlin TD published the results of the comprehensive spending review in the form of the Public Service Reform plan. | See Change, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership, and its 70 partner organisations including IBEC are rolling out a national green ribbon campaign to get people talking about mental health. | Metro North and DART Underground will not proceed to construction in the life of the current Government. Luas BXD will commence construction in 2015. | IBEC has launched Driving Europe's Recovery, business priorities for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. | Current discussions on introducing a binding exposure level for Respirable Crystalline Silica as part of the Carcinogens Directive. |