Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which unemployment levels are reflected in budget allocations across enterprise agencies. [33873/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The budgetary allocations of the Enterprise Agencies take account of a range of factors, including the anticipated demand for key programmes and services, as well as new policy initiatives by the Government.

The Government's Infrastructural and Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 which was published on 10 November 2011 has a particular relevance for my Department in terms of supporting job retention and creation. The capital investment programme covers a broad range of critical areas including economic infrastructure, environmental infrastructure and social investment.

In total, €2.334 billion in capital investment is provided to my Department for jobs, enterprise and innovation over the period from 2012 to 2016. There is an increase in the annual allocation for enterprise support from €508 million in 2011 to its highest ever level of €514 million in 2012, reflecting the priority accorded to job creation by the Government. Continued investments in research, technological development and innovation have been and will remain a pivotal element of our enterprise development offering to 2016.

A number of new initiatives will also be funded through my Department's Budget, including a Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme, a Microenterprise Loan Fund, a Development Capital Scheme, Innovation Fund Ireland and the Succeed in Ireland initiative.

All of the initiatives funded by my Department and its Agencies will support economic growth and job creation, thereby having a positive impact on unemployment levels.