Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have our advance factory, which is complete and will be marketed and filled with employees in the not too distant future. We have seen progress in the regions, and, as Senator Naughton mentioned, it is not before time. The plan was put in place by the Government and we can see the creation of jobs. The Action Plan for Jobs is a multi-annual strategy and implementation mechanism to enhance the operating environment for employers and has five overreaching strategic objectives, which it seeks to achieve by implementing each instalment in its multi-annual series. The first of these is to support 100,000 additional jobs by 2016. When this goal was stated during the last election campaign, people on the Opposition side, including all parties and the Independent Members, said it was pie in the sky and unachievable. Not alone is it achievable, but we are going to break the target. We have already created 90,000 jobs and there will be another 40,000 by 2016. It is a strong measure of the commitment and priority the Government has given to job creation.

Unemployment has decreased from 15.1% to 10%, and it will decrease further. There has been a significant decrease month on month and quarter on quarter, and please God it will continue. It is all down to the prudent policies the Government has adopted on job creation, getting the structures right and dealing with export-oriented businesses rather than relying on the construction industry. We are broadening the base in many areas. Exporting firms have created 15,000 net additional jobs in 2014, and each of these jobs spurs another in locally traded businesses. The small businesses that are setting up and creating one or two jobs are very important in every town and village in the country.

The OECD review of the Action Plan for Jobs is very positive and when it was launched in February 2012, it was described as a most welcome and important initiative. It focused on private sector-led export oriented job creation by getting framework conditions right and continually upgrading the business environment is a sound approach. The focus on building and strengthening linkages between the domestic SME and multinational sectors is welcome. When our SMEs are put together with the multinational sector and develop accordingly, they will prosper. The rigorous quarterly monitoring and reporting system is another significant and positive development in the area.

The disruptive reform in 2015 is the national talent drive. There have been six disruptive reforms. I do not know why they are called "disruptive" reforms, because they are very positive reforms. These actions aim to strengthen employability of learners and enhance employer engagement at all levels, link up with the institutes of technology and universities and draft a new skills strategy. The Government will increase higher education ICT graduates by 60% between 2015 and 2018. This is a very important area, given that we need to update the skills and have the skills for the jobs that are being created.In 2018, some 74% of ICT skills demand will be met through domestic supply. This will require the return of many of our talented migrants. One of the main barriers to their return is our tax system. The Government is committed to easing the burden of people at work, which, in turn, will create greater finances to fund services. I commend the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, and the Government on their efforts in this regard. It is a good news story, although I accept we have a lot more to do. The Government made addressing this issue its number one priority and, based on the figures mentioned here this afternoon, it is succeeding.