Ireland | Jobs plan is limited and won’t help grow new business, say experts – National News – Independent.ie

Taoiseach Enda Kenny last week ambitiously pledged to deliver more than 100,000 jobs by 2016 through a wide range of measures spanning 15 departments and 36 State agencies.

And this weekend, the visit by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will focus on developing business opportunities between Ireland and China.

Mr Kenny admitted last week that there is only so much the State can do for private businesses, which, in effect, have to be able to stimulate themselves, with the State offering assistance — something that has been widely agreed upon by some of Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs, who spoke to the Sunday Independent.

An entrepreneur requires a couple of things. The first thing is opportunity — if that’s not there, the rest doesn’t matter. I have never subscribed to the idea that there is no money in Ireland; if the idea is good enough, you’ll always find someone to invest.

I agree with the Taoiseach that the State can only do so much, and he’s right. The elements are there: now we need to find the opportunity, and the State can’t do that. That has to come within the mind of the entrepreneur. I think the Jobs Initiative will work. It might take some time to get up and running, but I think it will work.

via Jobs plan is limited and won’t help grow new business, say experts – National News – Independent.ie.