Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We take on board the recommendations of the NCC and I will certainly provide information on where those recommendations, many of which have been complied with, are at. I included in the Future Jobs Ireland plan a condition that the recommendations would have to be formally reported on, on a regular basis, something about which I am very conscious.

On the taxation side, budget 2020 saw the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, announce a number of measures. Changes to the research and development tax credit scheme, the employment and investment incentive scheme and the key employee engagement programme, KEEP, share options scheme will help to ensure Ireland will remain competitive and supportive as a location in which to develop ideas and base start-up businesses. Future Jobs Ireland, launched in March this year, includes a range of specific deliverables that aim to enhance the business environment and improve competitiveness. Ireland is now seventh in the IMD rankings, whereas in 2011, just after Deputy Troy's party left government, it was 24th. While we have come a long way, we are certainly not complacent. I am very conscious that we must remain competitive.

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