In view of the figures produced by the CSO recently about the total numbers at work, will the Taoiseach agree that, whatever about the merits of the Programme for National Recovery, it has not led to an increase in the total numbers at work and that one of the principal causes is a series of official policies which are not related to each other? First, the cost of putting £1 in a worker's pocket is about three times that £1 and this is much greater than in any other country in Europe. Therefore, will the Taoiseach agree that the thrust of the remaining phase of this programme must be to get all those official policies which are inhibiting jobs out of the way, bearing in mind that the increase in output that has taken place in the past three years——

I have to dissuade Members from the notion that they may debate this matter now. It may not be debated now.

The Deputy is invading very interesting territory and I would not attempt to deal with all the issues he opens up in his question. However, I say to him that all the present indications are that there is a considerable turn round in the employment situation, though I have said on a number of occasions, and I know the Deputy will agree with me, that our real problem now is to translate economic growth into jobs. The Deputy may not have noticed that I indicated recently that we intend to invoke the expertise of the Commission in Brussels because they have offered it, and to study that aspect of the problem. Apart from that, he will have seen forecasts which indicate that there will be a considerable increase this year in the number of people at work, and an even bigger increase next year.

We were told that last year and the year before and it did not happen.

I am only saying that the ESRI's recent report indicated there will be an increase of 11,000 jobs in 1989 and 19,000 in 1990. I am not saying they are quantitatively satisfactory but I am saying they indicate a trend in the right direction. Let me say before he intervenes that I accept also the Deputy's argument that it is important not just to try to create jobs in the sectors by specific measures but to try to eliminate the things that are preventing or inhibiting the creation of employment.

I hope the Taoiseach will not be over complacent with the ESRI figures given the large redundancy figures being returned every year and the still high levels of emigration. I take it from his initial reply that the subjects of tax reform and social welfare as discussed with the ICTU are to be looked at in the context of the budget. I understand from the ICTU that job creation must be given priority. Is this so? Perhaps the Taoiseach will outline exactly what he is doing in terms of giving job creation priority.

We are trying to tackle the problem of job creation on all available fronts. The Deputy will have seen, for instance, that I met the chief executives of the more relevant State bodies and discussed with them how they can help to create employment either within their own core business or in diversified projects. Of course, we have the all out efforts of the three major employment creating agencies, the IDA, SFADCo and Údarás na Gaeltachta, and in specific areas of the economy sectors which offer potential for employment. We are by positive intervention endeavouring to bring forward employment in these areas such as tourism, the food industry and so on.