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

The Action Plan for Jobs is driven by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Taoiseach, and all of the recommendations are dealt with each year. The new action plan to be announced shortly will incorporate several very effective ideas. As the report of the entrepreneurship forum highlights, the development of entrepreneurs in Ireland is not confined to the State's support system. Many ideas emerge outside of the State's management structures. Everybody has a role to play in nurturing, connecting, inspiring, celebrating and expanding our entrepreneurship policy and in developing solutions to the challenges of creating a truly entrepreneurial Ireland. Collaboration is necessary among all stakeholders in the public sector, industry and representative bodies.

The action plan is driven by the entrepreneurship budget, which the Minister introduced to encourage enterprise. The new revolution in business and the backbone of this economy are small companies. Yesterday I visited the National College of Art and Design, where I met a number of bright young people with great new ideas. They were entrepreneurial in every sense. The real action by this Government is to encourage enterprise. Enterprise Ireland, the local enterprise offices and all the State bodies under the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are focused on supporting high potential start-up companies.

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