Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

55. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the fact that while the Central Statistics Office, CSO, has found that there has been a 3% increase in the number of persons employed in the third quarter of 2018, there has been no change in employment numbers in the mid-west region; if this will be addressed by her Department and the State agencies under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50823/18]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have seen consistent improvements in employment figures for several years. That was reflected in the figures for the third quarter of 2018, with a 3% improvement nationally. In the mid-west, however, the figures have not improved; rather, they have been stagnant. My question is whether the Minister is concerned about this. There is certainly concern in the mid-west about the fact that there was no increase in employment in the region in the third quarter of 2018.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I note the release of the results of the labour force survey for the third quarter of 2018 issued by the CSO on Tuesday, 20 November. Overall, the release is very positive. The figures show that employment continues to grow strongly, with 66,700 jobs created in the year from the third quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018. It brings total employment to 2,273,200.

Between the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs in the first quarter of 2015 and the third quarter of 2018 there has been an increase of 258,800 people in employment in the State as a whole, of whom 163,500 are located in the regions outside County Dublin. It equates to three out of every five jobs created. In the mid-west region there has been an increase in the number of people in employment, from 196,500 to 215,300, since the Regional Action Plan for Jobs was launched, that is, from the first quarter of 2015 to the third quarter of 2018. This represents an increase of 18,800 jobs, or 9.5%. In the same period the level of unemployment has reduced, from a high of 12% to 7.2%. In real terms, the number unemployed in the mid-west region has decreased by 10,300 in the period since the first quarter of 2015. The CSO labour force survey reports no change in the numbers in employment in the mid-west in the year before the third quarter of 2018. However, it also reports a decline in the level of unemployment of 2,600 in the mid-west region in the same period, which is very welcome.

Realising the enterprise and jobs potential in all regions and thereby reducing disparities between regions continues to be a priority of the Government. Under the Regional Action Plan for Jobs, we remain committed to achieving an overall jobs uplift of between 10% and 15% in each region by 2020 and bringing the unemployment level in each region to within at least 1% of the State average. We have more to do.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The mid-west Regional Action Plan for Jobs process has had some notable successes such as the launch of Propeller Shannon Accelerator, a student enterprise network at the University of Limerick, and a Limerick for Engineering showcase, among many other initiatives. Earlier this year I asked the Regional Action Plan for Jobs implementation committees, including in the mid-west, to refresh and refocus their plans to ensure their relevance and impact from now until 2020, especially in the face of current challenges, including Brexit. This work is ongoing and expected to conclude by the end of the year. On Monday, in the second call for my Department's regional enterprise development fund, I announced an allocation of more than €29 million in funding that will support the regions in delivering on their economic and enterprise development potential. Some 21 projects all over the country received funding. This was in addition to the €30 million in funding in the first call which I announced in December 2017 and also funded 21 projects.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I absolutely acknowledge that there have been significant improvements since the first quarter of 2015 when the Regional Action Plan for Jobs was launched in the mid-west. In fact, I was present when it was launched. My concern is that the improvement has apparently stopped. We need to take action now to ensure employment will continue to grow. In the mid-west there is excellent interaction between higher education and educational establishments generally and employment and industry. It has produced very positive results in recent years. My concern is that it has stopped. The Minister of State, Deputy Breen, recently expressed the same concern in the region. I ask the Minister to contact IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and other bodies under her aegis to ensure any issues that needs to be addressed is addressed in order that we can continue to improve the position in the mid-west.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The mid-west Regional Action Plan for Jobs process has had some notable successes such as the launch of Propeller Shannon Accelerator, a student enterprise network at the University of Limerick, and a Limerick for Engineering showcase, among many other initiatives. Earlier this year I asked the implementation committees for the Regional Action Plan for Jobs, including in the mid-west, to refresh and refocus their plans so as to ensure their relevance and impact from now until 2020. The mid-west is one of the best performing areas in collaborating, attracting investment and jobs. I have been especially struck by the success of Limerick and surrounding areas in the last year. There have been huge job announcements. I recently visited Edwards Lifesciences which has announced the creation of 600 new jobs in Castletroy. More than 122,000 people are employed across 649 IDA Ireland client companies located outside Dublin. Some 45% of all new foreign direct investment jobs created last year were in regional locations. IDA Ireland client companies in the entire mid-west region created 897 new jobs in 2017, an increase of 5% since 2016, with total employment in overseas companies in the region now standing at 17,787 jobs across 128 client companies, which is a wonderful achievement. Looking ahead, IDA Ireland will continue to work with both existing and prospective clients to identify new opportunities for investment in the mid-west and highlight the region's strengths for overseas firms.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Minister. I welcome the news that she has asked for the Regional Action Plan for Jobs in the mid-west to be refreshed and refocused. I ask her to maintain contact to ensure this will continue. Things like the Limerick for Engineering showcase and work undertaken by the Limerick Institute of Technology and the University of Limerick are fantastic collaborations with companies. I have seen for myself the precision engineering industry's engagement with Limerick Institute of Technology and the work done by a variety of industries with the University of Limerick. We must make sure it will continue. This is a warning. I urge the Minister to pay particular attention to the region.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On Monday I announced the allocation for the regional enterprise development fund. A number of projects in the mid-west were funded. Some €603,000 has been allocated to BNest Social Initiative DAC, a social enterprise initiative that assists businesses in seeking a social impact to achieve viability and scale in Limerick and the wider region. Some €1.7 million has been allocated to a project in County Clare and the Shannon Estuary providing specialist infrastructure for maritime-related training and field research support. Funding of €2.2 million has been allocated to a digital collaboration centre in Limerick in the mid-west to drive the application of disruptive technologies.

These three projects are in addition to the funding received by the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation and Emerald Aerocluster under call one.

As I stated, the regional action plans for jobs have been very successful. We are asking that they be refreshed and renewed and the implementation committees are coming up with new ideas. The regional enterprise development fund is putting funding behind these ideas and creating jobs. Conscious of the need to ensure we continue to create sustainable jobs, I launched the future jobs plan only two weeks ago.