John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I have a firm belief in that sector. We should engage with such businesses to find out what supports we can give them in the context of their demands and the new economic circumstances, and that is exactly what I am doing. I am willing to consider new ways of supporting them and to discuss with the Deputy's committee what we can do within that budget and in view of the 16% increase we have received.

Within the boards, we got a large response to Tech Check, which provides technology audits for companies to allow them to see where they are falling behind within their own organisations. We have supported them in this regard. There is a focus on support of that kind for companies. In addition, we need to consider new green technologies and companies associated with these because that is where new jobs will be created in future.

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