Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the sectoral initiatives that will be implemented in the domestic economy as per the programme for Government; the funding that will be dedicated to these sectoral initiatives; the time line for rolling out these initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5875/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Restoring confidence to the economy and facilitating the creation and retention of jobs will require a range of strategies, as set out in the Programme for Government. In addition to increasing our exports and continuing to attract investment from overseas, the Government recognises the importance of supporting companies trading in the domestic economy. In this context, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop initiatives in a number of sectors that will encourage job creation in the domestic economy. These include initiatives in the retail and SME sectors, ICT, agri-food, tourism, and green enterprise. The initiatives will be developed and implemented across a range of Government Departments.

For my own part, I intend to develop initiatives to target particular sectors where there is greatest opportunity to capitalise on the strengths of our enterprise base and our people. I have already started working with the enterprise agencies under my Department's remit to develop a Jobs Programme that will include the detail of these initiatives. The resources required for the sectoral initiatives which I am progressing will be considered in the course of their development. However, the initiatives will not necessarily require significant increases in public funding. There are ways in which we can do things better across Government to support businesses, reduce their costs, and restore consumer confidence.

My objective is to bring the detail of these initiatives to Government within the Government's first 100 days in office. Collectively, the actions taken across Government will stimulate the economy, facilitate enterprises and encourage job creation in both the domestic economy and the internationally trading sector.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the 2011 jobs programme and the jobs fund will become operational; when businesses will be expected to be able to access the measures contained within the jobs fund as per the programme for Government; the way the many jobs envisioned will be created out of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government outlines a number of measures which the Government will take to resource a Jobs Fund which will facilitate jobs growth and sustainable enterprise. Key elements of the approach will include:

· providing resources for an additional 15,000 places in training, work experience and educational opportunities for those who are out of work;

· cutting the 13.5% rate of VAT to 12% up to end 2013 to help labour-intensive economic activity;

· halving the lower 8.5% rate of PRSI up to end 2013 on jobs paying up to €356 per week;

· implementing a number of sectoral initiatives in areas that will create employment in the domestic economy;

· initiating a long-term strategy to develop new markets in emerging economies;

· securing additional resources for the national housing energy retrofitting plan, which will create jobs in the construction sector;

· expanding eligibility for the back to education allowance; and

· accelerating labour-intensive capital works, including in respect of schools and secondary roads.

The Taoiseach has indicated that the Government will introduce a Jobs Budget within its first 100 days in office to give effect to these, and other, growth strategies. These measures will be implemented across a number of different Government Departments. For my own part, I intend to develop initiatives to target particular sectors where there is greatest opportunity to capitalise on the strengths of our enterprise base and our people. I have already started working with the enterprise development agencies under my Department's remit to develop a Jobs Programme that will develop the detail of these initiatives.

I will also be working with my Government colleagues to address the cost of doing business and to further reduce the administrative burden on firms. Collectively, the actions taken across Government will stimulate the economy, facilitate enterprises and encourage job creation.