Jerry Buttimer, TD

Fine Gael Cork North West Deputy, Áine Collins, has today (Tuesday) said recent figures from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, which show that in excess of 4,000 net jobs have been created by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA-supported companies since Fine Gael and Labour came to power, are proof that the Government's jobs strategy is working. "In the last two years, the number of jobs being created in Enterprise Ireland and IDA-supported companies has resulted in thousands of people getting back to work. Over the last 15 months we have seen an increase of 1,000 jobs per month being created in the private sector, with 2012 registering the first annual increase in employment in five years.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said that the JobBridge internship scheme is a clear and dependable pathway to full-time employment which has seen 36 per cent of intern graduates in Waterford moving directly into employment, while 61 per cent of interns nationally have secured employment five months after graduating from the scheme. Deputy Coffey obtained this information by way of a Parliamentary Question to Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD (see below).

LOCAL WEXFORD T.D and Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe has welcomed €116,250 funding for coastal work in County Wexford under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme.

Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness has been elected, by a large majority and on the first count, to the position of Vice- Chairman of the EPP Group.

LOCAL WEXFORD T.D and Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe has welcomed €116,250 funding for coastal work in County Wexford under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme.

To ask the Minister for Finance if he has any remit to protect consumers who contribute to savings clubs over a period of 12 months in cases where the company may go into liquidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will open up retraining facilities provided by his Department to persons who are unemployed but not eligible for jobseeker's allowance due to their partner or spouse earning a low to middle income salary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Finance if he has any remit to protect consumers who contribute to savings clubs over a period of 12 months in cases where the company may go into liquidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.