David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

We need a joined-up approach and seamless working between the local authorities and enterprise boards. We do not have that at present. If we look at the development boards across local authorities, we see that all the players and stakeholders are there, but what is missing is the desire for local authorities to be able to deal with enterprise. It would be a good thing for the local enterprise boards - not Enterprise Ireland, but the boards - to come under local government.

I have four quick questions for the Minister. He said IDA Ireland is considering new strategies to support the SME sector, especially in exporting. Will he give us a flavour of what is being considered? There is potential in digital media, including animation and gaming. The digital media hub in Dublin has encouraged the Government to put in place strategies to encourage business to go online and use online services more. That has the potential to create jobs in itself, but there is also potential in animation, gaming, e-commerce and e-health. What strategies are being put in place for those areas?

On youth unemployment, far too many young people are out of work and people are emigrating. We need specific, targeted policies for getting young people work, because they make up the bulk of the people who are out of employment. Graduates coming out of our universities do not have employment. What strategies are the Minister and the Government considering to target youth unemployment?

How can the education sector encourage innovation by young people? Can more be done in second level education? Can more be done in the transition year to encourage more young people to think outside the box and be more creative? The young scientist of the year competition is good, and it could and should be replicated in the enterprise sector. I ask the Minister to consider that, because there is scope to encourage more young people to see entrepreneurship as an option and an avenue for them.