Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Government is fully committed to its target of achieving a net increase of 100,000 persons at work by 2016 and improving job prospects for those who are out of work. To achieve this target, the Government has put in place two major programmes, the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. These programmes are focused on delivery.

This Government is seeking to undertake a huge transformation of our economy to achieve these goals. Huge damage has been done to the fabric of our economy by the property bubble and the flawed policies which underpinned it. Competitiveness was lost, export markets were lost, our banks were crippled and hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost. However, through the Action Plan for Jobs we are bringing about the necessary changes to achieve this transformation. Every Department and more than 35 offices and agencies have contributed practical actions that will be delivered by 2012 to promote employment. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, 96% of the measures due for delivery under the Action Plan for Jobs were implemented on time. I am also commencing consultation on the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs and I welcome all inputs to this process.

As the Deputy is aware, the Action Plan for Jobs contained a significant number of innovations in a number of employment-generating areas. In terms of access to finance, it provided for microfinance and loan guarantee schemes, the development capital fund and the improved seed capital tax relief scheme. Regarding new markets, we have introduced initiatives for first time exporters and focused our diplomatic resources on trade.

To support start-ups and small business, we are reforming supports to small businesses, we have introduced initiatives for community enterprise centres, a clustering programme, the competitive start fund, and we are improving access to public procurement for small and medium sized enterprises. We have also focused on tax incentives and improvements in competitiveness as a means of employment growth.

Employment trends within the agency supported companies are improving in an environment where there has been an export-led economic expansion. A great deal more work has to be done and I am now commencing consultation on the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

Employment trends within the agency supported companies are improving in an environment where there has been an export-led economic expansion. A great deal more work has to be done and I am now commencing consultation on the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

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