My Department has overall responsibility for overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1989-1993. The Programme is a multi-fund programme supported by the Irish Exchequer and the EC under both the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).
For the first three years of the Programme (1989-1991), £200.7 million in European Regional Development Fund receipts and £178.8 million in ESF receipts have been drawn down. These funds have supported industrial development and human resources measures in aid of job creation. There are a wide range of programmes operated through State agencies for this purpose.
More broadly, the Deputy will, of course, be aware that the Government has accepted the thrust of the Report of the Industrial Policy Review Group which is in the course of being implemented.
There are no specific job creation schemes for particular age categories operated under the aegis of my Department.
The Government also recently announced the establishment of County Enterprise Partnership Boards which are being set up to promote job creation and economic and community development at a local or county level.