Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she will take to address the issue of competitiveness in the economy here as a means to stop soaring unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8482/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government recently introduced a Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, called "Building Ireland's Smart Economy" which sets out a clear roadmap for Ireland's move back to economic growth and prosperity. The Cabinet Committee for Economic Renewal will drive this strategy and we will continue to pursue policies that will build on our strengths, address our weaknesses and maximise economic activity and employment.

Across Government, we are taking exceptional measures to tackle the challenges that we face with a strong focus on helping enterprises and saving jobs. Through the work of the Cabinet Committee we are identifying specific short-term measures which would have an immediate impact on sustaining employment and competitiveness. Once the package of short-term measures has been finalised, focus will be placed on implementation of these and the wider competitiveness and enterprise agenda under the 'Smart Economy' framework.

Within my own Department I am driving implementation of the areas falling under my responsibility covering enterprise, labour, research and innovation and competitiveness issues. We are also committed to implementing the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, which underpins our attractiveness as a location for investment and sustaining high value jobs across the economy. Through the SSTI, our immediate objective is to increase the "commercialisation" of R&D investments to support blue chip employment opportunities through the creation of cutting edge start-up companies, creation and transfer of intellectual property and most importantly the absorption of highly skilled people into industry.

For those people who have lost their jobs, we are re-focusing our skills and training budgets to help these people back into employment as quickly as possible. We are also reviewing current training programmes, including those provided by FÁS and Skillnets, in the context of current and future labour market challenges, including the goals of the National Skills Strategy.

I believe that we have to take concrete steps to show solidarity with enterprise and in particular the exporting sector. Restoring cost competitiveness is a particular focus of action. Cost competitiveness remains critical to ensuring that companies based in Ireland have the ability to compete successfully in international markets.

The Government's Recapitalisation Scheme for Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland announced on Wednesday 11 February 2009, is a fundamental requirement in restoring stability to our financial sector. Such stability will ensure that the financial institutions can actively contribute to our economic activity and particularly support our enterprise sector. As part of the Recapitalisation Package, my Department will continue to remain in regular contact with the Department of Finance and will ensure that issues such as the availability of credit to SMEs are kept under constant review so that SMEs can continue to operate effectively and with certainty.