Government continues to seek ways to protect existing jobs and create new ones
Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by Minister for Small Business, John Perry TD, that an additional €270,000 in funding for the Cork South and Cork City Enterprise Boards is to be made available, creating an additional 25 of jobs for the regions.
This is part of an overall €3.1 million to be provided to Enterprise Boards nationally to fund job creation projects in the remaining months of 2011, which will see an extra 408 jobs created across the country.
“When it comes to job creation this Government knows it is the first and foremost solution to getting Ireland back on the road to recovery. For every job that is created, there is one less person on the dole, with a benefit to the Exchequer of somewhere in the region of €20,000 per person, per year.
“A number of County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) recently contacted the Minister for additional funding. Recognising the importance of assisting smaller businesses, he sought savings from within the Department to facilitate this request. Fifteen million euro has already been provided to CEBs in 2011. That there was a need for additional funds illustrates that the start-up spirit is alive and well in Cork and across the country.
“This Government has shown a clear commitment to job creation and protection since coming to office by reversing the cut to the minimum wage, lowering the lower rate of PRSI for employers, cutting red tape for businesses and initiating the Jobs Initiative. Plans for a Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme and a Micro Finance Fund for SMEs will go even further towards securing the jobs we already have and encouraging additional ones into the future.
“CEB have a key role to play in providing much-needed capital for start-ups and micro-enterprises and the knock-on effect of 25 extra jobs being created in south Cork and the city will be significant. As a small, open economy, exports will play a major part in getting us back on the right track. So too will the support of local communities where local businesses are concerned.
“There is a long way to go yet and no-one is suggesting the road ahead will be easy. I have every confidence, however, that we are in the right hands and that slowly but surely we will regain our economy sovereignty and get our people back to work.”