Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the past four years Ireland has lost more jobs per capita than any other western country since the great depression. This is a phenomenal indictment of the Government's policies and those of the previous Government. A total of 87,000 people emigrated last year, which is more than the number that sat the leaving certificate last year. Emigration and unemployment are the burning issues in Irish society today. The action plan for jobs was launched last February, 12 months after the Government came to power. At the time, the Taoiseach stated he would create 100,000 additional jobs. In this period alone, 33,000 jobs have been lost net so the Government is already at -133,000 given its promises. In this period, the Government has seen long-term unemployment increase from 50% to 60% and the jobs free action plan is the micro-management of the Department rather than what is needed, which is macroeconomic investment in the State.

We need significant investment if we are to tackle the major burning issue of our generation.

A total of €1 billion was given to unsecured bondholders by this Government yesterday. Would that money not have been better spent on Irish people seeking jobs? What real changes will the Government make to resolve what has now been an epic failure on its part with regard to job creation?

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