Martin outlines €13.6 Billion Enterprise Spend under NDP

“Government’s commitment to delivering high quality jobs confirmed in National Development Programme with investment in People, Enterprise and Science Technology.”

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has joined Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Friday 26th January 2007) to announce the details of a €13.6 Billion investment in Enterprise by the Government under the National Development Plan.

Outlining the investment Minister Martin said there are key areas which his Department will be focusing on.

• Creating and sustaining high value jobs
• Growing Ireland’s exports through Irish Enterprise and foreign direct investment companies
• Upskilling workers through the National Skills Strategy
• A doubling of funding for the Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation

The Minister explained that the investment includes €7.7 billion for training and upskilling our people, €3.3 billion in Enterprise Development and €2.7 billion as part of an overall investment of €8.3 billion in Science, Technology and Innovation.

Speaking at a news conference in Cork, Minister Martin said “This overall investment will allow us to transform Ireland and provide ‘a better quality of life for all’. I look forward to driving the delivery of key Enterprise, Trade and Employment commitments in the new NDP so that we can build on the progress made under the last Programme.”

“The presence of the Taoiseach underlines the Government’s commitment to ensuring Ireland remains a location for high quality jobs into the future,” concluded Minister Martin.

ENDS/ETE1694