Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I welcome the number of initiatives announced, particularly the manufacturing and development forum. Can the Minister outline the membership of it? While there was growth in employment in the sector last year, which is welcome, the QNHS survey showed a decline of 4,000 jobs between April and June this year in the manufacturing sector. Some 50% of IDA jobs are in manufacturing and I am concerned there is a concentration of those jobs in the pharma sector. We are moving into a period of challenge for the pharmaceutical sector, where products manufactured here are coming off patent. Is there a strategy in the Department to address that point and examine other opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector?

I also welcome developments in the indigenous sector, particularly in food. What element of co-operation exists between the Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of Harvest 2020 and how to maximise job opportunities in the manufacturing space? The Minister referred to 64% of Enterprise Ireland jobs. Can the Minister indicate how many are in micro-enterprises? I am thinking of small indigenous manufacturing companies that are in a position to withstand any international downturn.

See this speech in context