Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Action Plan for Jobs 2013 referred a great deal to the construction sector but when we put a question to the Minister at the end of January to ascertain employment creation in that sector in 2013, he was unable to provide a figure because it was not being monitored. Last July the Forfás strategy stated that a consultation and co-ordination group should be established under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach but that has yet to be established.

The Minister mentioned the State building programme but the procurement rules which apply to that building programme are putting construction firms out of business. I know it is not the Minister's area but the procurement rules are a serious impediment to job creation and are costing jobs. Yesterday we had the statements on the local authority housing sector on which there has been no progress, even though there is huge opportunity and huge need. There is much rhetoric and spin but a lot of things are happening in spite of the Government's strategy. When will we see focused job creation ensuring that the capital programme of every Department is fully spent and not underspent as was the case last year?

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