James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will set up a jobs task force, similar to that in the south east of the country to fill the employment vacuum in counties Longford and Westmeath (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56798/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The initiative which was established last year for the South East region followed a very significant and unexpected company closure, involving a major loss of jobs in one company in Waterford City. Accordingly it was considered appropriate to initiate a specific and coordinated response to that exceptional event.

The South East region has the highest unemployment rate of all regions in the State and, measuring economic performance, its Gross Value Added data is well below the national average as are Labour Force participation rates. Also, the proportion of the population with higher level educational attainment in the South East is significantly lower than the National average. In addition, several infrastructural deficits have been identified in that region and business start-ups are small and focussed on the domestic market. Given all these challenges, in addition to the sudden closure of the Talk talk Call Centre, it was considered that an appropriate response to these unique circumstances merited the establishment of a specific Action Plan for the region.

However I consider that it is not practicable or effective to establish jobs task forces around the country as a general mechanism to address high unemployment. While it is accepted that the Longford and Westmeath area is facing a significant level of joblessness, to embark on such a course would involve diverting the various State Agencies from their on-going efforts to create jobs. A considerable administrative commitment is involved in servicing any additional committees and groups which may be set up and, given the constrained staff resources facing all public sector bodies at present, I am strongly of the opinion that establishing such additional groups, except in very exceptional circumstances, would not be in the best interests of using the State’s resources effectively.