Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Of course unemployment is much too high. It is a welcome trend to see the private sector increasing its workforce by 17,000. At a recent IBEC conference, the signs were that there will be a strong reaction from 600 businesses. The Government has set out its action plan for jobs. I expect that the commencement of the partial loan credit guarantee scheme and the micro-finance agency, along with other issues that are going into operation this month, will have an impact here. It is clear that access to credit from banks continues to be an issue.

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