Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I understand there are approximately 1,200 placements on the internships scheme. Perhaps they have not yet been tied down and completed but the programme has been very successful and the Minister for Social Protection is pleased with the progress made thus far. It is one of our success stories. It started on 1 July and even though we are not yet three weeks into the month, there is already a significant take-up on the scheme.

The issue of wood for energy would be more appropriately addressed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Enterprise Ireland would, of course, support any initiative, however, and if the Deputy has in mind a particular company or project, I would be happy to make arrangements to discuss it with the agency. The broader policy is the responsibility of the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte.

Deputy Finian McGrath raised the issue of outsourcing. It is disappointing that any company would outsource jobs, as happened in Vodafone, but it is a large company and we need to develop opportunities in other parts of its operations. While it is always regrettable to see jobs being lost, we must work with the company to develop new areas. I met the unions recently and they expressed their concerns. I am determined to meet Vodafone to see how we can develop opportunities with this major international company, just as we have successfully done with others. The Government is not in a position to prevent companies from making commercial decisions of that nature.

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