Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is to recast the Irish economy in a way which impacts to the benefit of everybody. This includes the communities mentioned by Deputy Healy. The RAPID programme was very effective in many cases and announcements were made about it which were never followed through. Changes are being made to local government whereby the balance of responsibility between the elected representatives and the executive will see far greater accountability in terms of public moneys being voted and spent in urban and rural areas which have been deprived of facilities and structures for a very long time.

I was recently in Deputy Healy's county and the values of the Irish people have not changed but have strengthened in the sense of community spirit. I notice in the times of hardship and difficulties many people have fallen upon that communities have rallied in a way they did not before. This is something we must encourage and strengthen, and this is part of the €1.04 billion spend the Government will make next year for all areas, town and country, in terms of opportunities, particularly for young people, to live, stay and work at home if this is what they wish to do. The point made by the Deputy is valid, but it will not happen in the way he wants or that anybody else wants unless our economy is functioning properly whereby clearly there is an emphasis from the Government on the opportunity to create jobs and employment and get people off the live register.

The aim would also be to motivate them and give them a sense that they are making a contribution to their localities, counties and the country in general.

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