Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We will all come on board in trying to assist, but when constituents come to us and state they are having trouble in maintaining people in employment because of the difficulty in accessing credit, it becomes an impediment. This is a particular aspect. We understand IDA Ireland has a particular role, while Enterprise Ireland has a different role. Obtaining seed capital for small new businesses can be a problem because there are rules.

Does the Minister have a figure in mind as to what constitutes full employment? During the Celtic tiger years we were told a 3% or 4% unemployment rate meant full employment. Does the Minister count being in part-time work in the same way as being in full-time work? Very often being in part-time work is not sufficient to sustain a family.

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