Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the work that has been done by the Manufacturing Development Forum; if he has examined their proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3327/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 included a series of actions to address the Manufacturing Sector, in order to exploit the advances in manufacturing technology, and to build and maintain a strong base of manufacturing activity. This developed as a result of the challenges facing the sector and of the imperative of supporting the employment levels in that sector.

A key proposal in the Action Plan for Jobs was that a Manufacturing Development Forum be established to assist the Government in identifying the needs of manufacturing enterprises and to progress a transformation agenda. I therefore established such a Forum in June last and it comprises key industry representatives and officials from relevant Agencies. I asked the Forum to consider the biggest impediments to job creation in manufacturing in Ireland and the immediate areas of opportunities for job creation in the sector.

The Forum has fully engaged with Forfas on a new Manufacturing Strategy and it has contributed a range of ideas and suggested priorities to that work. In addition, the Forum members participated in a range of workshops to identify solutions for the key challenges facing the sector. I greatly appreciate the input of the Forum members which has fed into a very comprehensive analysis by Forfas of the sector and its needs.

It is envisaged that the Forum will continue as a consultative body, which will provide the Department with valuable insights on policy issues impacting on that sector. This will be especially useful when the Forfas report, currently being finalised, is being implemented.