Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

FÁS is the training agency to which people go and of whose services they avail. Regarding the overall situation, if there is an international downturn it affects a small local economy such as ours. This is happening elsewhere and we are not immune from such developments. The downturn is having an impact.

It is also fair to say that there have been indications of investment from foreign direct investors during the period Deputy Gilmore mentioned. More than €1 billion has been received so far this year which is very welcome and this situation must continue. Part of our strategy is to ensure confirmation that Ireland remains open for business and that the country is aggressively seeking those opportunities from foreign direct investors.

We must also help those who are in work by ensuring that we run the finances of the State in such a way that the economy is more sustainable than would be the case if we operated on a no policy change basis. We will not have such a policy in the coming 12 months and beyond and must take account of the changed circumstances. Luckily we are working off a lower unemployment rate than was the case when we faced challenges such as this in the past. The economy is in a stronger position. I know that is no comfort for anyone who has lost his or her job, at any time, during good times or bad. The issue for us is to continue to work with the State agencies and to have an overall responsible budgetary position that will uphold confidence in the economy and ensure that those who are at work have the prospect of continuing in their jobs, with people trying to obtain more market share.

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