Written answers

Wednesday, 10 December 2008

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Job Creation

10:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new jobs she expects to be created during 2008 in the manufacturing and other sectors; the way these compare with figures for each year since 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44888/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Forecasting employment figures is a perilous business at the best of times, and never more so than in the current economic climate we now find ourselves subject to. As one of the most globalised economies in the world, the uncertainty created by the ongoing international financial crisis and the consequent fall in demand for goods and services both domestically and worldwide has had a significant impact on our economy.

The Government and I share the concerns of all at the levels of unemployment; however, it must be viewed in the context of historically unprecedented numbers of people in work. Since 1997, over half a million new jobs have been created in Ireland and the number in employment still exceeds 2 million.

The following table shows that in the period 2002–2007 over 150,000 new full time permanent jobs were created in companies supported by the enterprise development agencies (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development). Of this total, 84,619 new jobs were created in the manufacturing sector.

These figures do not take account of the new jobs created with the support of the Government through Udarás na Gaeltachta, which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The economic environment is more challenging than we have seen for many years; however, we have the foundations in place for long term economic growth through proactive policies such as the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation, the National Skills Strategy and the National Development Plan. Ireland is well placed to tackle the challenges we are facing, with a strong base of modern industry, a highly skilled and flexible workforce and a pro-business culture. We continue to work to maintain and enhance our framework competitive conditions, and promote new areas of competitive advantage by developing our R&D base, investing in critical physical and communications infrastructures, in line with the NDP and the Programme for Government

In the competitive arena of enticing foreign direct investment (FDI), Ireland still manages to punch above its weight when it comes to attracting overseas investment. While costs are higher, we have responded by positioning ourselves as a location for more advanced activities, with more qualified and better paying jobs. The pipeline of new business for which IDA Ireland is competing is strong and we remain confident that Ireland is well placed to secure significant investment during the remainder of 2008 and beyond, from key target sectors such as Pharmaceuticals, Biopharma, Medical Technologies and Information and Communications Technology.

Competition, both for investment and goods and services in the global economic environment that Irish business functions in, is keener than ever. Innovation, and the productivity gains that flow from it, are the new foundations for competitiveness. In order to sustain and grow the manufacturing sector, Irish based manufacturing enterprises will have to continue the progression to high value added sectors and activities, and continue to increase productivity through investments in human capital, technology and innovation. Our priority remains the creation of high quality, sustainable employment, driven by companies with higher profitability that are technologically advanced and prove a better fit with the competitive characteristics of our economy.

New (Full-time) Jobs Created in Enterprise Agency* assisted firms 2002-2007
200220032004200520062007Total
All Sectors25,30122,48124,20826,23827,56024,339150,127
Manufacturing14,43113,91913,35414,89514,93213,08884,619
Services10,8708,56210,85411,34312,62811,25165,508
*Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development.

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