John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, on the points of Deputies Broughan and Calleary on the issue of women in business, the support by Deputy Joan Burton's Department is very much to encourage people back into work, for instance, the announcement this week of the fund to provide up to €10,000 to an employer of the long-term unemployed. As I stated initially, the purpose of this Government is business. The actions of the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and all of the Departments are focused on jobs and getting people back to work. It is about confidence and credit. Obviously, the latter is a big issue that pertains in any business.

From the point of view of the Action Plan for Jobs, the legislation is ready for stamping. It is being signed-off on. It is imminent. Regardless of that, the county and city enterprise boards are effective. The boards I have met are working on the ground with business and their allocation of funding is being spent on the creation of jobs in the domestic economy.

On indigenous economy and foreign direct investment, while there were exports of over €16 billion from Enterprise Ireland supported companies, the highest ever level of exports, the agency expects the corresponding figure this year will be €17 billion. If one looks at the added value of jobs, it is about commercialising good ideas into jobs.

Let us be under no illusion. It is quite difficult to create jobs. There is nothing more difficult than to establish and manage a business.

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