Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister, Deputy Bruton, the Minister of State, Deputy English, and the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, and all their officials on the great leadership they have shown in this tremendously challenging economic period in which we found ourselves. It was a huge undertaking to try to stimulate job creation again in our very flagging economy when people's spirits were low, never mind the loss of jobs. We are beginning to see an energy from the people working in our State agencies and from the people with ideas now that there are supports in place that they can identify. It is tremendous to meet and engage with them and see their energy and hear their ideas and innovations. A key factor is that supports are now in place.

I was lucky enough yesterday to be invited to Offaly Local Development Company's business development programme certificate launch for a number of the people who participated in it. Word had not broken yet about the actionplanforjobs.ielaunch. They all spoke of how being able to access one portal to get all the information will be very beneficial. We all have a responsibility to get that message out.

Another aspect is encouraging young entrepreneurs. The programme in that respect led by Enterprise Ireland was fantastic and the final of it was held in Google Foundry. It was fabulous to see all those young dynamic people energised by that experience. People are waiting with great anticipation for the announcement of the pilot plan for the midlands and also how the regional plans will be rolled out nationally. It is timely that is happening and it will be very welcome.

With regard to the entrepreneurship policy statement before Christmas, we are doing a report on women entrepreneurs so the witnesses can look forward to receiving that from us when we have completed our hearings on it in the coming weeks.

In my area in Offaly the local enterprise office has taken on a new energy in terms of it moving in under the local authority. It has always been successful but in terms of the challenges being brought to bear on it, there is nothing like a crisis to get people to sit up and take note. Under the Minister's leadership it has proven to be very successful, and an innovation hub will be opened there very soon. If we can see all of that being replicated across the country it will be welcome.

I very much welcome the acknowledgement that broadband provision is a cross-departmental issue because if we are serious about encouraging community enterprises we must remember that all the young people graduating from wonderful institutions such as the one in Ballyfermot can create a business on their own, almost in their own bedrooms, and all they need is a computer. However, if they do not have broadband, they cannot do that. That is critical for certain areas, and particularly those that have enterprise parks. If we could put particular pressure on that it would be tremendous.

I thank all the witnesses for attending today's meeting of the select committee.