Written answers

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Job Losses

12:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she has studied the level of imports from low cost economies; the degree to which this has resulted in displacement of Irish jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20217/09]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's imports from the larger trading economies in Asia have actually fallen considerably in the last year. During the period 2007-2008, merchandise imports from the key Asian lower cost economies of China, India, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia have fallen overall by 21% from €7.2 Billion in 2007 to €5.7 Billion in 2008.

Many of the job losses in the economy in recent months are related to weakening in demand at global level and other factors. Maintaining Ireland's attractiveness as a competitive and profitable European location from which to do business is a key priority for the Government and my Department's enterprise support policies clearly reflect this commitment. Ireland still remains an attractive location for high-end, skill-intensive manufacturing and services operations.

Our policies have led us to develop new competitive strengths and advantages. Improving our standard of living and competitiveness requires a focus on contemporary economic strengths, moving up the value-chain and attracting high-grade investment that rewards a highly educated workforce with commensurate attractive incomes. We have placed a high priority on ensuring that Ireland aligns its business supports and competitive characteristics to the requirements of doing business here.

It is to be expected that, in a small open economy such as ours, sections of the Irish enterprise base will face competition on the domestic market from overseas competition. My Department and its agencies are acutely aware of the imperative to help build firms of both scale and importance in higher value added sectors of global trade. Our focus is firmly concentrated on implementing the best possible blend of policies to strengthen both national and firm level competitiveness. Our response to this challenge is strategic yet reflects the business needs of companies.

The challenge for Ireland is to attract and retain the high end, higher value added operations that are typified by higher output, improved productivity and greater returns to labour. These operations will ultimately provide longer lasting and higher quality jobs. In all of the measures which we have already undertaken, or are in the process of bringing to the point of delivery, the key concern of Government is to protect businesses, sustain employment and to support those who have lost their jobs through retraining and other supports.

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