Legislation on way to spur credit into business
The Taoiseach has said legislation will be brought forward in January to increase the flow of credit to business.
The legislation will govern partial loan guarantees and the micro-finance agency.
Enda Kenny also promised new "labour activation" measures from the Minster for Social Protection Joan Burton.
Speaking during an end-of-year briefing with journalists, Mr Kenny said unemployment remains the big challenge for the Government in 2012.
He said the Government wished to make considerable inroads into the unemployment figures by the end of its lifetime.
"We'd like to see all of those who are long-term unemployed off the list, and either in the world of work or having been involved in upskilling, or courses," he said.
