Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to be very positive because last year the majority of jobs created were outside Dublin. We all accept that we must create a balance.

In the context of small and medium-sized enterprises - this cannot be done in Mr. Parlon's sector - and working remotely, we hear talk about improving quality of life. As an economy, how much can we do in support of that objective?

For start-up companies, 2017 was a record year. A total of 61 were created per day. I am concerned about the age profile in and sustainability of some of the companies being created by young people. How can we nurture and support them?

I commend Ms O'Toole on her wonderful contribution and thank her for being here. She spoke about attrition in attracting and retaining staff. She might develop that point a little more, please.

Mr. Parlon is correct in saying that when the construction sector is working, Ireland is working. We have challenges in that regard. I am curious about how we can create an entrepreneur culture.

Mr. Walsh spoke about being at home. We have, correctly, seen migration by women towards STEM subjects. Will he elaborate on and develop the point he made about that seed being sown? There were six of us in my household. Five of us were working in the public sector, while my brother William worked in the private sector. How can we change that mentality in giving people confidence?

This week in the Irish Examinerthere was a headline about the rates being paid by a particular small and medium enterprise in Cork city. On the cost of doing business - I am sorry the Minister of State is not present because he has done some work on the cost of insurance issue - how do we get the balance right between the local authority in trying to collect rates and the entrepreneur or business in seeking to develop and expand and not being penalised in doing so? County and city councils obviously need to collect rates, but how do we get the balance right?

On recruitment and the tax system, how do we - this is anathema to some - incentivise and help to create jobs given that the rate of unemployment is now 6%? However, we have a very high youth unemployment rate of 14.8% which covers those aged between 15 and 24 years.

I thank the delegates for being here and commend Senator Ó Céidigh on arranging such a wonderful, innovative sub-committee meeting.