Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The reforms are proceeding. On data reform, we have established the new Insight Centre which involves 250 researchers across four colleges and 45 companies and is now operational. The Health Innovation Hub is progressing well. Six companies are already involved in a pilot project. We are evaluating how we can extend this initiative across the country. Obviously, the JobsPlus scheme was launched yesterday. We have done some pilot scheme work on how we can get more people to trade online. Two pilot schemes have examined on how best to do this. Facebook, PayPal and Google, representing the social media, payment and advertising sectors, were involved in a scheme conducted under the auspices of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and another model is being developed by the software society. There is a couple of models. We are now looking at how best we can shape an innovation voucher that will support best practice in this field. Good progress is being made in that regard.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, recently established a €70 million energy fund, with €35 million coming from the Government's funds and matching funds coming from the private sector. That fund is now up and running and those involved are identifying pilot projects in the public and private sectors that can be funded. A fresh crop of skills initiatives is being advanced under Springboard. We will meet officials in the Department of Education and Skills next week to examine how further initiatives in this area can be pursued. SOLAS which will have a new mandate is being established. It represents a great opportunity to develop ICT and wider skills. An apprenticeship review is also being carried out and we intend to bring new legislation on work permits to the House. In line with the report put together by Senator Deirdre Clune, the legislation is designed to make it easier for people who are legitimate to access those needed to meet skills shortages when such workers cannot be sourced in Ireland. We are moving in all of these areas and I think we can report progress. As I have said, the addition of a private sector partner has caused us to think outside the box in each of these areas.