Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

In terms of direct job creation, some of my colleagues in Government involved in the capital programmes mentioned in the initiative have produced estimates of in excess of 6,000 directly created jobs by the capital programme. I have also said that underpinning the programme for Government from 2011 to 2015, a net 75,000 to 100,000 jobs will be created. That is the net figure. Many jobs will also be lost, including through a reduction in the number of people employed in the public service. The strategies we are putting in place to give incentives and confidence are targeted towards an increase in jobs of 100,000. Whether that will be achieved or exceeded is difficult to say. It is difficult to estimate now what will happen in the next three months never mind in four years.

In my speech to the Dáil on Tuesday I referred specifically to NewERA. I said plans were being put in place for NewERA, which is the larger investment project to which Deputy Higgins referred. We cannot be expected to do everything in the first 50 or 60 days. We are doing a lot and will continue to do so.

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