Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he can assist incentivise or otherwise support job creation opportunities in various sectors, public and private under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10937/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Finance announced the Government's jobs initiative in the House earlier this week which detailed the Government's proposals in this regard.

Energy and communications are key elements underpinning the Government's commitment to our international competitiveness, and supporting the protection and creation of jobs. This week I launched "Better Energy" - a major step forward in the Government's energy efficiency retrofitting programme. Under the Jobs initiative an additional €30 million will be allocated to this programme in 2011 matched by a further €30 million in private sector investment. As a result, an additional 2,000 jobs will be created in 2011, on top of the existing 3,800 jobs supported by the existing budget allocation.

I will be working with Minister Bruton, and State Agencies under both our remits, on the economic and employment potential of renewable energy resources of wind and wave. Activities including areas such as maintenance services, operations, device testing and port infrastructure development will be explored.

A significant beginning was made this week and I will, continue to actively work with my colleagues to assist and support job creation and opportunities, in as far as possible, across relevant sectors.

With my colleague, Minister of State O'Dowd, I am also examining opportunities for additional job creation in the semi-State sector arising from the NewERA project as set out in the Programme for Government.