Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which it is expected to ensure that the manufacturing sector can remain competitive in all markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21130/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he and his Department continues to identify identified competition faced by Irish manufacturers and service providers; his proposals to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21136/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 102 together.

Ireland has built a strong reputation in terms of quality and efficiency in a range of manufacturing and services sectors. Notwithstanding challenges in areas such as costs and skills, Ireland is well positioned to exploit the advances in manufacturing technology and to build and maintain a strong base of manufacturing and services activity, particularly in the growth areas identified in the Action Plan for Jobs.

Manufacturing in Ireland spans a wide range of sectors including food and drink, ICT hardware, medical technologies, pharmaceutical bioprocessing, engineering and industrial products, including "green/cleantech" products. These high value manufacturing sectors are the areas where Ireland is, and can continue to be, competitive, rather than in the high volume, low value-added production processes.

The Action Plan for Jobs sets out a range of specific actions directed at the manufacturing sector to be undertaken by Government this year. Together with a number of other measures set out in the Plan, these will support and grow employment in manufacturing. Key measures include: The establishment of a Manufacturing Development Forum to assist the Government in identifying the immediate needs of manufacturing enterprise and also to assist in the development of a strategic long term plan for the sector, and The evaluation of existing support programmes to ensure they meet the needs of manufacturing enterprises and the exploration of additional financial supports that may be required to support the sector, within the context of EU State Aids negotiations.

Other measures in the Action Plan for Jobs which are designed to improve the competitiveness of the economy will benefit both manufacturers and service providers. Details of the specific actions to be taken are set out in the Action Plan which is available on my Department's website.