Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is a real opportunity for us to build on the achievements of the current agreement and drive a range of workforce reforms which will support our public services into the future. Reforming public services is not just about reducing unsustainable cost. We need a public service that is flexible and responsive to public needs – a service that will be world class.

Supporting Jobs and Enterprise

Creating jobs for our people is central, as the Minister, Deputy Noonan, has said, to this Government’s agenda and the Minister has outlined a series of tax measures to build on the jobs budget and the Action Plan for Jobs the Government announced last year. The figures show some growth in private sector employment.

Jobs

In 2013, we will maintain our support for employers across all sectors and in sustaining jobs. I am allocating total capital expenditure for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation of just under €500 million next year to drive the jobs and enterprise agenda.

I am providing Enterprise Ireland with an allocation of €139 million to support indigenous Irish exporters next year. In addition to a wide range of existing measures, this will support the launch of a new ten-year €175 million venture capital fund which will fund new and expanding Irish companies over the medium term.

See this speech in context