Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Department of Social Protection offers every alternative option and support system to people to get them back to work, the area which is relevant. There were outlandish predictions made by the Minister's partners in government allied to the NewERA project and the number of jobs it was going to create. It has become more realistic in recent months. Funding for it is up in the air. If the proposed sale of assets is to yield funds will they be used for NewERA or to pay the debt? I ask the same question in regard to rate reduction. This week's negotiations could yield a dividend for the State of by virtue of job creation and the rates which the Minister and Government have continuously asked to supplement.

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