Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

The Revenue job assist scheme will also help, while PRSI programmes entice employers to retain employees and there is a tax break for that purpose. On the demand and supply side we are trying to encourage companies to retain people in jobs. It is an extremely difficult thing to do because one must adhere to State-aid rules in doing so. We have been imaginative in trying to get people back into the work force through labour market activation measures, including the pathways to work scheme. We will stay on that course. The essential point in the Deputy's question concerned a direct subsidy to individual businesses. We are trying to take a more imaginative view on that by putting in place the temporary credit guarantee scheme and the micro-finance fund. In addition, we are encouraging employers through tax breaks and PRSI credits. That is the way to stimulate growth.

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