Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that the Action Plan for Jobs is nothing of the sort. It has been an annual process whereby changes have been developed across government and subsequently implemented with a strict timetable overseen from the Office of the Taoiseach. The focus of the actions is to achieve key targets, principally getting 100,000 people back at work and improving the business environment for growing strong enterprises.

The Action Plan for Jobs has focused on three main areas, namely, programmes that have made it easier for enterprises to establish and grow jobs, sectors that can be successfully developed and measures that allow Irish business to compete more successfully. This has been a successful policy approach. The jobs target has been exceeded, with 126,000 additional people at work. These jobs are in sectors which have solid and sustainable foundations with good prospects and working conditions. Competitiveness has also improved significantly.

In terms of implementation, there has been a quarterly monitoring and reporting system and publication of quarterly progress reports. Since the action plan was first launched, the average quarterly completion rate has been more than 90%.

One of the strengths of the process has been the open consultation on policy areas where improvements can be made and the involvement of industry partners in the implementation of some of the initiatives. This has allowed continuous learning and development.

The OECD has commended the policy approach and made useful suggestions which have been incorporated. In 2015 we have deepened the process by developing regional action plans which can drive the same collaboration at regional level.

My intention is to publish the Action Plan for Jobs 2016 in mid-January next. My Department is developing the 2016 action plan and engaging bilaterally with enterprises and Departments to identify actions to ensure the plan is as ambitious and impactful as possible and will keep us on track to achieve our goal of having 2.1 million people in employment by 2018.

See this speech in context