Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is a €17 billion programme. Deputy Adams is aware the Government has introduced new methods of creating employment for people such as the JobBridge scheme, which has now created in excess of 5,000 places, and the Pathways to Work programme, which allows for people currently on the live register or drawing social welfare to be re-trained, upskilled and to have the opportunity to get into work.

I do not like to see anyone leave the country. No parent does and no one else does either unless people wish to leave by choice, depending on their skills, their requirements for experience or their wish to travel. Unfortunately, emigration is part of everyday life now. This is why, as I stated to Deputy Martin, the relevant Ministers, Deputy Noonan and Deputy Howlin, have been speaking to the European Investment Bank today. There are several areas which need greater flexibility to be shown, and in this regard the Government could avail of new ways of funding infrastructure projects and employment creation opportunities. I have stated to Deputy Adams on many occasions that the Government is overseeing the implementation of more than 200 proposals in respect of small and medium enterprises. It is actively following through on the microfinance agency and the partial loan credit guarantee scheme. The big issue for many businesses is having access to credit from banks in the first place.

The Government is also using and has indicated its preference for the National Pensions Reserve Fund and the setting up of the Irish water company, which will, I hope, create up to 2,000 jobs through the repair of major water conduits and the installation of water meters in due course. The Government has set its plan clearly.

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