Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

Will the Deputy Leader invite the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, to come to the House in the coming weeks to update us on developments in regard to the jobs plan? Significant progress has been made in recent months, but it is important that this House have an opportunity to contribute further to the debate on how we should proceed in encouraging job creation. It is vital that employers are aware of the PRSI savings they can make by taking on eligible employees. As the summer arrives, we are all hopeful a significant number of jobs will be created in the tourism industry. It is very much to be welcomed that the PRSI exemptions will be extended to those on the JobBridge scheme. Many of them are coming to the end of their placements, and employers will be in a position to employ them and avail of the savings in PRSI.

It is also to be welcomed that a significant reform of the industrial relations machinery of the State is taking place, which will be of benefit to employers and employees. It is fantastic to see that the backlog for rights commissioner hearings has been eliminated. The waiting period in 2010 was 142 days. Significant progress is being made by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. He has a good story to tell, and we need to assist him and to have further debates and discussions here on how to create employment opportunities for our people.