Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will make three suggestions to the Taoiseach that he might consider. Primary and secondary schools building projects must be put on the critical infrastructure list. These are critical buildings to which there will be no planning objections. A generic design can be used and they can be rushed through the planning process. With €8.1 billion in the capital programme and 20% savings in prices from construction firms, a schools building programme would allow for the employment of substantial numbers of tradesmen, craftsmen and construction workers. Will he take that constructive suggestion, if I may use a pun, to heart?

Is it the Taoiseach's philosophy that by increasing the VAT rate, the Government's take from it will increase? There has been a haemorrhage of both jobs and money north of the Border, despite the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment making patriotic gestures. When the capital gains tax rate was cut some years ago, the tax take increased substantially. Will the Taoiseach consider reversing the VAT increase introduced in the budget in light of the fact that it is not bringing in extra tax and haemorrhaging jobs and money north of the Border?

With this catastrophic increase of 36,500 on the live register in January, the Government will have to pay more in benefits. Will the Taoiseach consider an exemption in PRSI contributions for employers who take on new employees in 2009? Will he consider tax exemptions for firms involved in research and development for new products which have the potential to create new jobs? Will the Taoiseach consider some sort of loan to small businesses as part of a recapitalisation programme, which is beginning to work successfully for small businesses in Britain?

I make these suggestions in a non-contentious way on the basis of providing confidence and hope in job creation measures, which are so important in the context of this morning's announcement of 327,900 people on the live register, with an increase of 36,500 in January. That is unprecedented and there will be horrific social consequences for those tragically caught in this bind.

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