Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As recently as last year I published a report, which I shared with the Oireachtas, on the operation of this scheme and on the back of sharing that report, I made changes to it. For each of the years for which information is available, I have published the full cost of the scheme, including up to where we were at the end of 2016 and I will share with the Deputy and the House any information that is available to me in respect of the costs of it.

On the Deputy's allegation that this is a sweetheart deal in some way, the principles and the cost of the scheme are clear. A report is due to be submitted to me that I will publish and if that report makes recommendations to address potential issues in relation to equity, I will act upon them. In her own question to me, the Deputy acknowledged that skills shortages are an issue. If she acknowledges the existence of skills shortages and accepts the importance of exports to our economy, as well as the fact that every other country with which we are competing has schemes like this, then I hope she understands that it can play a role in our economy. I made a change to the scheme last year precisely because I wanted to address issues related to equity and fairness.

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