I propose to take Questions Nos. 323, 326, 329 to 331, inclusive, 333 to 336, inclusive, 339 to 343, inclusive, 345 to 349, inclusive, 351 to 354, inclusive, and 356 to 358, inclusive, together.
The Questions the Deputy has raised relate to measures the Government undertook to deliver in the first Quarter of 2012 as part of the Action Plan for Jobs. The first Progress Report on the Action Plan was published by the Government on 20 April and provides a detailed update on the specific issues covered in the Deputy's questions. The report is available on my Department's website, www.djei.ie.
Eighty of the 83 measures due for delivery across the whole of Government in the first Quarter of 2012 have been implemented. These measures include:
The launch of the "Succeed in Ireland" initiative, aimed at delivering at least 5,000 jobs in five years.
The Launch of a new Potential Exporters Division in Enterprise Ireland, targeting 1,800 new exporting companies.
The publication of legislation for the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme.
The design and launch of the new €150 million Development Capital Scheme, aimed at addressing a funding gap for mid-sized, high-growth companies.
The issue of a global second call under Innovation Fund Ireland worth more than €60 million, to target investment in high-growth technology companies.
The allocation of €20 million to a new Education and Training Fund.
The extension and simplification of the employer PRSI exemption scheme; and
The enactment of the Finance Bill, giving effect to several pro-jobs measures.
However, this is just the first stage in delivering on the Action Plan for Jobs. We will build on this work over the coming months and a further Progress Report will be published in July. I fully expect that the three measures which were not fully completed during the first Quarter of the year will be implemented in the Second Quarter.