Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is substantial funding for the scheme this year.

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has the Action Plan for Jobs which has produced results. A total of 80% of the jobs created last year are in rural Ireland. I am a newly appointed Minister. I have to set up a new Department which, as the Deputy will be aware, takes time. I also have to get a Secretary General in place. However, I have many plans for rural Ireland. Like the Deputy, I am committed to and passionate about rural Ireland. What I really want to stop is the negativity about it, not from the Deputy but from other Opposition Members. We have some fine, intelligent people working for multinational companies in rural Ireland. In my county we have Allergan, Baxter and Coca Cola. They have fine, intelligent people. I want to stop Members being negative.

See this speech in context