Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to create opportunities for persons in the private sector who find themselves unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13748/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department, in conjunction with the Training and Employment agency FÁS are working together to respond quickly and effectively to people who are becoming unemployed. Measures have been put in place which are designed to provide increased capacity for the rise in referrals from the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the increased number of unemployed seeking job search assistance. The implementation of these measures has increased the monthly capacity of job search services from 6,500 to 12,250 persons per month.

To assist individuals through the provision of education and training opportunities, I announced the availability of 51,000 new training places under the FÁS Training Initiatives Strategy. These places are in addition to the 27,000 previously planned for 2009 under the Bridging Foundation Training, Specific Skills Training and Traineeships Programmes. These Programmes provide short training courses for those who are recently unemployed. The Training Initiative Strategy enhances the traditional mix of course offerings and will be delivered through three core-training initiatives, Short Courses, Night Courses and Online Courses.

In addition, the Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department and the County and City Enterprise Boards continue to promote enterprise development. Enterprise Ireland has prepared a new recovery strategy to identify the actions that will be undertaken to help clients in 2009 in recognition of the significant changes in the economy. The agency has refocused its efforts on strengthening and sustaining companies of strategic importance through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of its client base. In identifying the short-term issues, the agency has developed a series of proposals which deal with access to finance, winning new sales, encouraging competitiveness, development of entrepreneurship, continuous innovation and research and development. The medium to long term focus of the revised strategy is to continue to drive a sound, sustainable, competitive export-oriented indigenous sector by concentrating on technology and innovation, supporting the environment for entrepreneurial development, and continuing to assist clients to win new sales.

In conclusion, I can say that the Government remains intent on achieving greater capacity within existing resources to meet the ongoing challenges in the labour market. In this context, we will continue to examine further ways to make FÁS training and education services available to a greater number of unemployed persons to ensure timely and comprehensive access for all who require assistance.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she proposes to take to encourage job creation with particular reference to reduction in costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13749/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Industrial Development agencies and the City and County Enterprise Boards are making every effort to encourage job creation throughout the country. The agencies and the CEBs are very much aware that their clients are determined to reduce their costs in every way they can. In this regard, Enterprise Ireland has set up a specialized unit aimed at helping its clients identify and drive down costs. From the Government's point of view, current data demonstrates that a broad range of prices are already declining. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for February 2009 show a decline of 1.7% in prices year on year. By the EU measure of inflation, Ireland now has the joint lowest annual inflation rate in the EU27.

The Commission for Energy Regulation has also announced a proposal for a reduction in energy prices from 1st May next (10% in electricity and 12% in gas) which will further reduce costs and inflation. The National Consumer Agency will continue to maintain current downward pressures on prices including in the retail sector, through a combination of consumer advocacy, research, information, education and awareness and enforcement. In addition, the Government recently announced an 8% cut in professional fees to be paid by the State. This is in the context of the cost of services, particularly professional services, in this jurisdiction being perceived as significantly higher when compared with such costs elsewhere in the EU. I am confident that the combined efforts of the Government, the Development agencies and the CEBs will continue to bring about reductions in costs and facilitate job creation.