Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of the National Competitiveness Council's various recommendations which have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17889/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In its Competitiveness Challenge 2005 (launched in November last year) the National Competitiveness Council emphasised the importance of the strategic direction enterprise policy is now taking. The NCC also suggested a range of policy choices for which my Department would be responsible and others that fall under the remit of other Government Departments.

The NCC gave policy advice and comment in the following four areas;

Taxation and Regulation,

Economic and Technological Infrastructure,

Education and Training and,

Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Each of these four areas have been addressed in the context of the NCC's specific suggestions and advice received from the Enterprise Strategy Group.

The Council in 2005 set out a vision that requires two complementary and cross cutting imperatives — promoting a dynamic and competitive export base and raising productivity across the entire economy. Work in these strategic areas has moved from policy planning to the detail of operational implementation. In May 2005 I launched Enterprise Ireland's new strategy "Transforming Irish Industry". This is delivering new programmes to help internationalise Irish companies and improve their capacity to win more business in new markets. It also provides significant support to help reorientate firms towards more innovation and developing the potential of start-ups. I also approved an extensive Productivity Fund with a budget of €20 million to help indigenous firms improve productivity across their business functions. This Fund is managed by Enterprise Ireland. Meanwhile, IDA Ireland continues to be a world class development agency in both the quality and sophisticated export orientated investments it consistently attracts here.

In relation to other recommendations under the remit of my Department, the NCC commented on the importance of business regulation and I have set up the Business Regulation Group under the Chairmanship of Mr. Donal de Buitleir to advise the Government on how the perceived compliance burden on business can be lightened.

In the areas of training and labour force development, FÁS has been provided with €35.6 million to invest during 2006 in more training for those in employment. €8.5 million was allocated to the Training Networks Programme (TNP) operated by Skillnets Limited, a social partner company. TNP supports in-company training and development by firms co-operating with each other in training networks. In addition €6 million was allocated to the ACCEL Programme, which was launched in October 2005. This Programme supports in-company training and is aimed at companies working together in groups.

In relation to the objective of promoting competitive markets, I have provided additional resources to the Competition Authority, abolished the Groceries Order and have given the National Consumer Agency a strong mandate to be a loud voice for consumer interests.

Other Government Departments are also playing their part in implementing the recommendations of the National Competitiveness Council. The 2006 Finance Bill phased out several property tax breaks and increased Revenue powers in line with NCC recommendations and the Strategic Infrastructure Bill is currently being examined in the Oireachtas.