Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

My understanding is that the vast majority of Enterprise Ireland's staff are customer-facing. In other words, they are dealing daily with businesses, either on their research or marketing needs. This is not a huge, top-heavy administrative operation. Obviously, every section of this Department will have to be under scrutiny. We are under an obligation to reduce the numbers employed in every section. Enterprise Ireland, as well as the rest of the Department, will see its staff reduced in the coming years. I will be determined to ensure that this does not impact on the quality of the service going to Irish business. We need to be more cost-effective and I will look for that in Enterprise Ireland, as in every other operation. However, I do not think a prima facie case has been made that this is an ineffective use of an organisation that is not well managed. The contrary is my view.

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