Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the initiatives he has taken or intends to take to create incentives for employers particularly those taking on extra employees; if his attention has been drawn to the existence of a large number of highly skilled, experienced and well motivated persons who have recently become unemployed and whose skills and leadership are invaluable in the context of economic recovery; if he has considered a mechanism to avail of the services of such people rather than consigning them to the unemployment register; his proposals to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24422/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has implemented a comprehensive new, sustained growth in business, exports and jobs, based on increasing levels of productivity, competitiveness and innovation.

In terms of direct supports to companies, last year the Government introduced the Employment Subsidy Scheme (Temporary) in the context of rising unemployment to help employees retain their jobs while at the same time assisting employers in retaining their productive capacity.

The Enterprise Stabilisation Fund was established to support viable but vulnerable companies who have experienced difficulties due to the current economic climate. The scheme is implemented under the EU State Aid Temporary Framework Guidelines. The aim of the initiative is to help those companies survive the current global downturn by supporting their drive to reduce costs and to sustain employment.

Companies supported under the Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund have committed to maintaining over 100,000 jobs to the end of November 2010.

Additionally, Enterprise Ireland continues to support the growth of new and existing internationally trading Irish enterprises. A new Fund for Job Expansion has been launched by Enterprise Ireland, which will provide support of up to €150,000 to eligible clients taking on a development plan, which will increase employment. The first call for this competitive Fund closed in May with a further two calls scheduled for September and November of this year. The Fund will assist companies with regard to capital, technology acquisition, training, the recruitment of key managers, employment and consultancy.

The introduction of a scheme of tax exemption on the income and gains of new start-up companies over the first three years of operation is further evidence of the Government's commitment to offer incentives for employers to both create new enterprises and in turn create additional employment opportunities.

The Department of Social Protection are finalising arrangements for the PRSI exemption scheme which is applicable in certain circumstances where a person has been unemployed for six months.

Additional measures targeted at the unemployed include the Work Placement Programme which is designed to offer unemployed people, including unemployed graduates, the opportunity to obtain quality work experience. Participants on the programme retain their social welfare status and entitlements.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, recently announced that some 6,589 training places will be made available to the unemployed under the Labour Market Activation Fund, 2010.

Courses will be provided in a range of different locations targeting the less-skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors such as construction, retail and manufacturing, with particular emphasis on the under 35s and the long-term unemployed.

I am confident that the initiatives outlined above under the remit of my Department and my Government colleagues, Departments will create an appropriate environment, which will encourage employers to develop and grow their business ventures, and in turn assist in the creation of employment opportunities in the future.