Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the way he intends to achieve the savings in his Department's Vote set out in the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45530/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Recovery Plan sets out the strategy to underpin Ireland's economic recovery with the aim of restoring stability to the public finances, improving Ireland's cost competitiveness, stimulating enterprise growth and job creation. As part of the Plan, the Government has prioritised capital investment for the Enterprise Agencies over the next four years with the provision of €2.2 billion. This will enable the agencies to support Irish businesses, win new foreign direct investment and support research, development and innovation.

In order to restore stability to the public finances, savings have to be made across the public sector. The Enterprise area will contribute €47 million of current savings by 2014. Achieving the savings target will require adjustments in current pay and non-pay spending of the Department and the agencies under its aegis. I will be prioritizing funding for those areas of activity that directly support the Government's overall growth strategy. I will be seeking to achieve efficiencies wherever possible to contribute to the overall savings target. Full details of allocations will be identified in the 2011 Estimates which will be published shortly.