Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sa fhreagra a thug mé, dúirt mé go raibh cruinniú den coiste i rith an tsamhraidh. Rinneadh cinneadh ag an coiste sin agus tá sin curtha i gcrích tar éis an Bhille a bheith curtha tríd an Dáil. I dtaobh an údarás nua a bheidh ann, séard atá i gceist ná béim a chur agus iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar chúrsaí teanga agus ar na pleananna atá le cur ar fáil ó na comhlachtaí thar fud na tíre, ní amháin sa Ghaeltacht faoi láthair ach in áiteanna ar mhiste leo bheith i bfad níos tréine as seo amach ó thaobh forbairt na teanga de. Sin an príomh rud a bheidh i gceist ag an údarás nua de réir atá leagtha amach ag an Aire Stáit anseo sa Dáil.

The Cabinet sub-committee on economic recovery and jobs is tasked with making recommendations for decisions by the Cabinet which impact on competitiveness, employment and enterprise. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has set out the Action Plan for Jobs which, in part, is being monitored and overseen by my Department. I am not really interested in coming before the House and stating 96% was actually implemented. I am far more interested in the challenge we face in making people aware of the assistance that is available for small and medium enterprises and other employers, either by means of the forthcoming activation of the partial loan credit guarantee scheme or the microfinance agency.

There are also many cases which have never gone before the Credit Review Office. It would seem that in many cases, perfectly feasible businesses operating for a number of years are being dragged down by their involvement in property or property deals either here or abroad. Such involvement has imposed a crushing burden on the capacity of such businesses to operate. These are areas that interest us with regard to the banks.

The stimulus package to which I referred will affect transport, health, education and schools. It has been announced that the work of consular staff, whose duties include promotion of trade, is having an impact on exports. This helps in the difficult work of restoring a sense of confidence to our economy. I refer to our work with our European colleagues so the European Union and the eurozone can thrive and prosper. This would have the most beneficial impact of all on Irish manufacturing and export capacity which has been very strong over the past number of years and we should keep it that way.

I am not happy with the level of unemployment. My hope is that SOLAS, the pathways to work scheme and the job creation initiative will have an impact on communities all over the country as this is crucial for supplying the lifeblood of the economy and in particular for giving young people the opportunity to stay and work at home if that is what they wish to do.

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