Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is perfectly obvious that jobs, job creation and an injection of confidence into the indigenous economy must be and are a priority of the Government. That is why the jobs initiative will be announced by the Minister for Finance in the House on Tuesday, 10 May.

Given that the rate of unemployment is over 14% and that 440,000 are on the live register, we have tried, within the constraints imposed on the country through the IMF-EU deal, to provide an incentive, encouragement and a boost of confidence for employers to hire new workers and expand their businesses, and the elements that will allow this to happen. I have been surprised at the range of ideas - some were very workable and credible and others were not - that have been flooding in from various sectors throughout the country. The Minister for Finance will give the full details on the jobs initiative to the House next Tuesday and we will have an opportunity to discuss it. I make no bones about the fact that it will not sort out Ireland's unemployment problem overnight. The intention is to provide, within the existing constraints, confidence that will stimulate interest, growth, jobs and opportunities in the economy. All the details will be available next Tuesday.

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