Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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5. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which jobs lost have been replaced in each of the past six years to date; if he is satisfied regarding the sustainability of the jobs created over the past two years to date with particular reference to rejecting the criticism from some quarters regarding the numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23795/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The question attempts to ascertain the extent to which reliable statistics are available regarding the jobs lost or replaced over the past six years, with particular reference to the need to ensure progress being made is accurately reflected, given the earlier references to whether figures are reliable.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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In the three years before the Government came into office, more than 300,000 jobs had been lost across the economy. The construction, retail and tourism sectors were particularly badly hit and collectively accounted for over two thirds of the jobs losses. Almost 150,000 jobs were lost in the construction sector alone between the beginning of 2008 and the beginning of 2011.

In 2012, the Government introduced the Action Plan for Jobs as the main policy instrument to tackle the employment crisis and to assist job creation. Now in its third annual iteration, the action plan has set about transforming the operating environment for businesses by seeking to identify and remove barriers to competitiveness and by placing employment on the agenda of every Department. The latest employment figures published by the Central Statistics Office show that there was an increase of 42,700 people in employment in the first quarter of 2014, compared to the first quarter of 2013. There was an increase of 63,200 in the numbers in employment in the last two years. These figures are net of reductions in public sector numbers. More than 67% of the jobs created since 2012 have been full time. In the last six months, almost all the jobs created in the economy were full time. The sectors that have consistently performed well are agriculture, food and fishing, accommodation and food services, tourism and professional, scientific and technical activities. These sectors have been the focus for attention under the Action Plan for Jobs.

In 2013, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland client companies had record years for employment creation, generating a total of 12,500 net new jobs in export-focused activities. These patterns suggest the jobs being created are adding value to the economy and have every potential to be sustainable. However, we must continue to focus on sectors that did not experience a jobs recovery over the past two years. The wholesale and retail sector, which we discussed earlier, continues to suffer job losses, while the pattern is similar in the construction sector. There are moves to intervene in both sectors.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Given the housing shortage, particularly in the eastern region, will action be taken to address the issue and, as a result, regenerate activity in the construction sector, on the one hand, and make savings in social welfare rent support on the other?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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There is a specific policy instrument for the construction sector. Construction 2020 sets out a series of policy interventions in consultation with sectoral representatives regarding how the housing shortage can be addressed and how the sector, which took a major hit, particularly in the three years prior to 2011, can be stimulated.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Is it possible to assess whether early action can take place given planning permissions are required from local authorities and county development plans must be taken into account? Is it possible to deal with this issue under the strategic infrastructural deficit headings, which have proven to be effective in other areas in the past?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Yes. A specific initiative is under way, particularly aimed at the Dublin region, under the Minster of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I can engage further with the Deputy on this.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State.