Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for job creation in 2012, including plans discussed at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1946/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Since coming into office last March, the Government has taken a series of actions to help enterprises to create jobs. We launched a Jobs Initiative last May, within two months of the Government coming into office, to stimulate domestic demand and restore confidence in the economy internationally. We have brought stability to the banking system by recapitalising the banks and establishing two pillar banks to improve access to credit. Bank of Ireland and AIB have both been set targets for lending to business.

Budget 2012 contained a number of pro-jobs measures, including:

- the maintenance of our 12.5% Corporate Tax rate and extension of the corporate tax exemption for new start-ups;

- improvements in the Special Assignee Relief Programme;

- the introduction of a Foreign Earnings Deduction to support companies who want to build export opportunities in the developing markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa;

- improvements to the R&D tax credit scheme;

- continuation of 9% VAT rate in certain sectors;

- supports to encourage growth in specific sectors such as the international funds industry, aircraft leasing, agri-food and construction.

I have been co-ordinating the preparation of the Government's first annual Action Plan for Jobs, which will outline the measures to be taken across a range of Departments to support job creation in 2012. The Action Plan will build on the Government's efforts to date, and will set out specific actions to be taken this year to further support job creation across the economy. The 2012 Action Plan for Jobs will be launched in the coming weeks, following its approval by Government.

The jobs and growth agenda is also being vigorously pursued at EU level. Since taking office, my colleagues Minister Sherlock, Minister Perry and I, along with senior officials of the Department, have availed of every opportunity to engage with the EU institutions on policies of mutual concern regarding jobs and growth.

Bilateral meetings have been held at both official and Ministerial level with Commissioners and high ranking EU Officials, EU partners and like-minded groups. We have discussed with like-minded partners the prioritisation of EU initiatives under the Single Market Act aimed at stimulating the jobs, enterprise and innovation agenda.

At Ministerial level, we will be forthright in pursuing at EU level several key strategic initiatives of national importance for our competitiveness, trade, jobs and growth agenda, including the proposed pan-European Venture Capital Fund, the Digital Single Market, the European Patent and the reduction of the administrative burdens for business.

We are also working to maximise our strategic interests and funding possibilities under the EU's new Research Programme (Horizon 2020) and the proposed Programme for Competitiveness and SMEs.

I will continue to fully engage in the development of the EU's common commercial policies, which I believe provide a strong stimulus for growth and job creation. 2012 should see the successful conclusion of Free Trade Agreements with important markets for Ireland including India, Singapore and Canada. This year should also see the mapping out of future trade and investment relations with the US in the context of the EU-US High Level Group on Growth and Jobs which is due to report before the end of 2012.