Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the growth projections for the domestic economy that underpins his jobs action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9338/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the Action Plan for Jobs is to transform the operating environment for business in order to support enterprise growth and enable job creation. The Government will achieve this objective by systematically removing obstacles to competitiveness, promoting innovation and trade, supporting new and existing businesses to develop and expand, and by deepening the impact of foreign direct investment in Ireland. The Government has also identified a number of key sectors where Ireland can gain competitive advantage in global markets and benefit from employment growth.

Delivery of the Action Plan is not predicated on domestic growth projections. Rather, by adopting the right policy decisions, we will influence growth in the economy through increased trade, productivity, innovation and competitiveness.

Downward pressure on business costs, improving access to finance for business, maximising procurement opportunities for SMEs and targeted infrastructural investment are just some examples of actions which will specifically boost growth in the domestic economy. Increased export activity - which is a key objective of the Action Plan - will also promote economic growth and will support employment in both exporting companies and in their domestic sub-supply enterprises.

In addition, the individual sectors which have been targeted for attention all hold potential for high growth globally, as outlined in the relevant sections of the Action Plan. Maximising the emerging opportunities in these sectors will have a positive effect on employment in the domestic economy, including in areas such as Tourism, Agri-food production, Retail and Wholesale and Construction.