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

I thank the Members of the Dáil for their valuable contributions to the Industrial Development Bill which provides for the dissolution of Forfás and related matters. While the Bill is quite technical in nature it is important legislation which will give effect to the decision to integrate the policy and research functions of Forfás into the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Forfás has been of enormous value to the Department and the Government in the development of appropriate policy responses to many enterprise and job related challenges which have confronted the country, particularly during the economic crisis of recent years. Integrating Forfás into the Department will streamline the process between policy development and implementation, serving to strengthen the Department's role in driving economic recovery. Forfás policy and research functions will form the core of a new strategic policy division in the Department. Our objective is to maintain within the strategic policy division the independent research analysis which is associated with Forfás. The legislation is a valuable part of the Department's contribution to the public sector reform plan. Combining the strengths of the Department and Forfás will help in our efforts to be a world-class enterprise Ministry and will enhance the contribution the Department makes to economic recovery. I thank everybody involved.

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