Written answers

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Job Initiatives

Photo of Arthur SpringArthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any initiatives or actions are planned to help revitalise the economy of County Kerry in 2013 and if he will detail such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57953/12]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government is addressing economic activity through the twin strategies of the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. The aim of the Action Plan for Jobs is to support the creation of 100,000 net new jobs by 2016, while the objective of Pathways to Work is to ensure that as many of those jobs as possible go to those who are currently unemployed. The Plan is a whole of Government plan with a national focus across all regions.

The Enterprise Development agencies are at the forefront of implementing the Action Plan for Jobs across all regions and continue to ensure that enterprises can maximise their contribution to economic recovery and jobs growth. In this regard, significant interactions by these Agencies, with companies in Co. Kerry, are being maintained on an ongoing basis.

Despite a very difficult domestic and external economic environment, we are beginning to see the positive impact of the Government’s policies. 2012 saw significant net job creation by EI and IDA-supported companies, building on the positive results of 2011 and following successive years of significant net job losses.

Under the Programme for Government and the Action Plan for Jobs, my Department has successfully delivered on national actions, such as the establishment of the Microfinance Loan Fund and the Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which will increase access to finance for enterprises and entrepreneurs throughout the country, including those in Co. Kerry.

Ensuring that more micro and small businesses can start up, expand and export is a key pillar of the Government’s plans for jobs and growth. On 21 November 2012, I announced that primary legislation will be drafted to dissolve the existing County and City Enterprise Boards and create an enhanced national micro-enterprise support model, delivered through Local Enterprise Offices to be established in each Local Authority area. Pending the introduction of these arrangements, Kerry County Enterprise Board (CEB) continues to engage and work with existing and potential businesses on an ongoing basis. Already in 2013, local businesses are availing of the CEB Programmes on offer.

I am currently preparing the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government, and in that context, am exploring further measures which can be taken to transform our economy and support job creation.

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