Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Deputy is not correct as most forecasters are predicting a turnaround in employment. Growth projections are fragile and are very uncertain. The job trends are not evidence than the jobs initiative is not working. Up to 17,100 extra people are at work at the end of September compared to the end of June. The jobs initiative began in July, so the employment trends do not prove it has been a failure.

The jobs initiative includes various schemes, such as Jobstart, involving 2,000 people, and Springboard, with 6,000 in education projects, which are recording successes.

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