Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans for job creation over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45742/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Recovery Plan, which was published by the Government on 24th November, provides a blueprint for Ireland's return to sustainable economic growth. The Plan builds on previous Government initiatives such as Building Ireland's Smart Economy and the recent strategy for Trade, Tourism and Investment - Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy. It identifies the areas of activity which will provide increased employment opportunities as Ireland's economic recovery takes place.

The role of Government is to create the conditions where enterprise can flourish and jobs can be created. The National Recovery Plan sets out how the Government intends to do this over the next four years.

In particular:

· The Government will tackle costs for business in relation to energy, waste, property rental, professional fees, and other areas. This will help to improve the competitive situation of enterprises.

· The reduction in the National Minimum Wage and the review of the Registered Employment Agreements and Employment Regulation Orders will also improve competitiveness and help bring labour costs more in line with other EU countries.

· The Government will improve cash-flow for businesses by extending the existing 15-day payment rule for central Government Departments to the wider public sector.

· Capital funding under the National Recovery Plan is being targeted to ensure that it is employment-focused. In this regard, funding for enterprise-support programmes operated by my Department's agencies has been given a priority. Enterprise Ireland will continue to invest in high potential start-ups and help companies to increase their exports to new and existing markets.

· Support will also be provided to firms through Enterprise Ireland's Seed and Venture programme and through the €500 million Innovation Fund. The Business Expansion Fund for investment in companies will be overhauled and improved.

· There will be direct job creation during the delivery phase of public infrastructural investment. In this context, it is envisaged that the National Retrofit Programme will give rise to a considerable level of jobs in the construction sector on a nationwide basis.

· Investment in research and development will also continue to be strongly supported and there will be a focus on the commercialisation of research outputs to ensure a solid return on investment.

· By continuing to invest strongly in education, we will ensure that we have the skills base necessary to grow the economy, improve productivity and continue to attract foreign investment.

· Labour market activation measures set out in the Plan will also ensure that those who do not have a job at present remain close to the labour market and continue to receive relevant training and upskilling.

· The Government will remove disincentives to taking up employment by reviewing the social welfare system. For employers, the PRSI Exemption Scheme is being extended to the end of 2011.

· We will, of course, maintain our 12.5% Corporate Tax rate, which has been a fundamental pillar of our industrial policy for decades.

These are just some of the measures set out in the Plan which will have a positive impact on job-creation. The Plan also includes specific sectoral measures which will further contribute to employment.

Overall, the Plan will support the achievement of the targets in the Government's integrated strategy for Trade, Tourism and Investment, which envisages the creation of up to 300,000 direct and indirect jobs over the period to 2015.

While the Plan will require a whole-of-Government approach to achieve its objectives, my Department and its enterprise development agencies will play a key role in implementing and facilitating many of its measures.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs created in the manufacturing sector in each of the past four years to date in 2010; the job losses in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45745/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs created in the service sectors in each of the past four years and to date in 2010; the number of losses in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45746/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs created in County Kildare in both manufacturing and services sectors in each of the past four years and to date in 2010; the numbers in each sector lost in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45747/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 171 and 172 together.

The Small Enterprise and Development agencies figures for job gains and losses are compiled annually in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey, the most up to date of which details employment figures up to 2009. The figures are in respect of numbers of jobs gained and lost in firms assisted by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, which come under the aegis of my Department. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2010 will not be available until 2011.

Details of the agency figures for job gains and losses in the manufacturing and services sectors in the country as whole and more specifically in Co. Kildare are set out in the tabular statements accompanying this reply. The data in the tables in respect of services relates to the services sectors supported by the enterprise agencies.

Jobs Gains in Enterprise Agency-supported Companies in Ireland

Job Losses in Enterprise Agency-supported Companies in Ireland

Job Gains in Enterprise Agency-supported Companies in Co. Kildare

Job Losses in Enterprise Agency-supported Companies in Co. Kildare