asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a breakdown of the 10,000 jobs stated as likely to be provided by the 1981 public capital programme or investment plan as between (a) building and construction and other forms of work; (b) each of the major headings of investment, industry, transport, agriculture, and so on; (c) jobs which are likely to be temporary and jobs which are likely to be permanent; and (d) jobs likely to be created in the first six months of 1981 and later.

Implementation of the Government's Investment Plan 1981 will result in far more than 10,000 jobs. The estimate of 10,000 relates to the increase in direct employment expected to arise under the plan. The answers to parts (a) and (b) of the question are in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report. In view of the large number of jobs which will arise in the building and construction industry, in which industry the duration and nature of employment tend to vary with individual projects, it is not possible to make a precise distinction between permanent and temporary employment arising under the investment plan. Furthermore, in view of the different times at which projects under the plan will commence, it is not possible to say how many jobs listed in the statement will arise in the first six months of 1981 and later.

Following is the tabular statement:

Estimated additional direct employment arising from Investment Plan 1981.

Can the Minister give the House an assurance that all of the 10,000 jobs will be created in 1981? Secondly, will he not agree that the vast majority will be purely temporary jobs?

It is not possible to say how many will be temporary and how many will be permanent. I can assure the Deputy that as many as possible will start in 1981.

Is the Minister aware that it is not a question of starting as many jobs as possible because the Government have given a firm commitment that they will create 10,000 jobs in 1981? If the Minister now tells us he will do as much as possible, then he is retreating from the investment programme.

The Minister is not retreating from the investment programme. It is a very good programme and it will be implemented.

The Minister is already trying to qualify it.

I am not trying to qualify anything.

Is the Minister drawing a distinction between job creation and the number of jobs filled? Which is he talking about? Is he talking about people actually working and being paid?

Yes. There will be 10,000 jobs.

Therefore, the Minister is not talking about jobs created, he is talking about people actually starting work?

I am talking about people starting work on various projects.

I will remind the Minister of that statement.

From the Government benches.

It is marvellous. Even the prospect frightens the wits out of them.

Order. I am calling the next question.