Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has asked the Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly TD, to sanction the required funding for the Palliative Care Unit at Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH). Deputy Coffey made the request following on from assurances given by the Minister that cancer services would be retained at WRH in any regional reconfiguration that would take place.

Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has expressed his delight that a new youth leadership and development programme will honour the wonderful legacy of the late Dermot Earley, renowned Roscommon footballer and former Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces. The programme has been devised by NUI Galway and Foróige in partnership with the GAA and the Alan Kerins Project.

Minister Reilly spoke about his commitment to tackling the problem of smoking and noted that his objective during the Irish Presidency is to build consensus and facilitate agreement among Member States on the proposed revision of the Tobacco Directive.

Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Noel Harrington, has said the landmark investment being made by Government and private industry into seven world-class research centres, represents the largest investment of its kind in the State which will lead to high-end jobs being created in Cork and across the country.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today welcomed the announcement by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) of its new inspection and monitoring regime for Ireland’s child protection and welfare services.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has welcomed the publication of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which targets job creation in small businesses and start-ups, as well as the biggest multinational companies. Deputy Farrell added that the JobsPlus initiative, which is one of seven Disruptive Reform measures included in the Plan, will help to get the long-term unemployed back to work.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has welcomed the publication of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which targets job creation in small businesses and start-ups, as well as the biggest multinational companies. Deputy Farrell added that the JobsPlus initiative, which is one of seven Disruptive Reform measures included in the Plan, will help to get the long-term unemployed back to work.

Fine Gael Cork East TD and Chair of the Fine Gael Internal Jobs Committee, Tom Barry, has today (Friday) welcomed the inclusion of the JobsPlus initiative in this year’s Action Plan for Jobs (APJ) 2013, saying it will make it much easier for small businesses to create new jobs. JobsPlus is one of seven Disruptive Reforms included in the APJ 2013, and it will see the Government covering 25% of the cost of hiring someone who is long-term unemployed.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has welcomed the publication of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which targets job creation in small businesses and start-ups, as well as the biggest multinational companies. Deputy Farrell added that the JobsPlus initiative, which is one of seven Disruptive Reform measures included in the Plan, will help to get the long-term unemployed back to work.

It is my view that the annual Finance Bill is a piece of legislation that reflects the focus of the Government of the day. At the forefront to this government's agenda is job creation. It is the only means by which we can lead this country to recovery, and it is at the core of every decision made in this chamber.