Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this legislation, which will integrate the policy research functions of Forfás into the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. This integration will lead to the creation of a strategic policy division in the Department, of which former Forfás staff will form the core. I join the Minister in praising the flexibility of the workers involved in these reforms. Forfás has become increasingly involved in the central policy making process in the Department, with the agency playing a leading role in the development of the Action Plan for Jobs. This move is part of a broader reform programme the Minister has undertaken across his Department and departmental agencies, which also includes: the merger of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority; the reform of the five workplace relations bodies into two organisations; the restructuring of the enterprise support model for micro and small business; the dissolution of the 35 former county enterprise boards and the opening of new local enterprise offices; and the restructuring of the transport and enterprise development bodies in the Shannon region. This House has previously considered Bills on these matters.

We are seeing major progress in the economy, with 1,200 additional jobs being created per week in the private sector over the past year and record breaking job creation levels in multinational and indigenous companies. This is to be welcomed. However, I have just learned that we will experience the loss of 200 jobs in my city of Waterford. This is a devastating blow to the workers and their families, and to a city that is on its knees at this point in time. Unemployment levels in Waterford are the highest in the country. There has been good news in recent times, with job announcements in EirGen Pharma and Nypro, and investments by Genzyme and Glanbia, but it is not enough. Waterford has suffered more than most. The construction industry was obviously a key factor in this. NAMA is currently seeking developers to develop a site on Michael Street, which would potentially provide over 1,000 jobs in the construction sector. That project should receive immediate attention from the Government in the context of creating jobs in Waterford. An advance factory is also currently under construction. Immediately on its completion we need to bring a company into it that will create jobs. We have had a myriad of reports from committees and everybody else. We have seen action on some of those reports but we need a major task force in Waterford on jobs because, at this stage, it is a calamitous situation for everybody involved. More focus is needed on the regions and the areas which need employment. I recognise that nobody, whether Forfás, the IDA or Enterprise Ireland, can tell companies to go to Waterford or anywhere else but we certainly can create a better climate for companies in areas like Waterford.

I make no apology for speaking about Waterford in particular. It is the city where I was born and bred and I know what it is like to be made redundant. I worked for a company that went into liquidation, and I faced the same situation these people are now facing. We must give every assistance to those who will be put on the dole. We must put all of the organs of the State at their disposal so they can get their entitlements and, if necessary, further training, but we also need more jobs in Waterford. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, happened to be in the House to deal with this Bill when I learned of the job losses. I am angry and frustrated about the issue. We must make more efforts on behalf of Waterford and the south east. I acknowledge the Minister is working hard in that regard and that he is acting on the reports that he has received. I appeal to him to give urgent and undivided attention to bringing employment to Waterford and the south east. I apologise for straying from the subject matter of the Bill, which I believe will reform the system. The Minister has been reforming in his current position. However, I had to refer to this announcement.