Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Finance the expected growth rates for the economy for the calendar years 2010 and 2011; his plans to implement a growth strategy for the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34312/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As I've already indicated, my Department is assessing all relevant information and will publish revised macro-economic forecasts in the coming weeks. The Government has a clear economic growth strategy in place. The four key elements of the strategy are:

fiscal consolidation in order to put the public finances on a sustainable path;

repairing the banking system to ensure that credit is available to support viable economic activity;

improving our competitiveness so that exports can once again become the engine of growth in the Irish economy;

upskilling of the labour force to ensure that those who lose their jobs are in a position to gain employment in expanding sectors of the economy.

It is the Government's targeted actions in each of these areas that will ensure that the economy reverts to a sustainable growth path.