Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The figure is 253,000. That is the reality. If Senator Byrne comes along to next Thursday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children he will get further clarification on the matter.

I welcome the proposals on jobs. It is important that we encourage businesses and people to take the risk. The two-year income tax exemption for people who start up their own businesses is welcome. Capital gains tax relief affects people who are prepared to put their money where there mouth is and do something instead of just talking about what should be done. We should encourage such people.

The health innovation hub is important for my city and county, as nine of the world's ten top pharmaceutical companies are based within 50 miles of University College Cork. Funding for that hub is vital. Eli Lilly, Schering-Plough, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson are outstanding companies and employers and we must encourage their research and innovation. This part of the budget is welcome. Support is also being provided to Science Foundation Ireland, which plays an important role in developing new projects and research.

The IDA's target is to create 12,000 jobs in the next 12 months. Enterprise Ireland's target is also 12,000 jobs. The budget's provisions on the building industry will undoubtedly create more than 10,000 jobs in the next 12 months. This is welcome. The budget is concerned with the creation of jobs, through which there will be a lesser demand placed on social welfare and taxes will be accrued to support the services needed for the less well-off, including health services that can continue to be improved.

I welcome this budget. It is well planned, well developed and well delivered.