Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created or lost in both the manufacturing or services sectors in the past twelve months; his projections for the current year in this regard; the extent to which he is satisfied regarding the availability of adequately qualified job applicants for the positions available; if particular or specific action is required to address any deficiency in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9216/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The number of jobs created in the manufacturing and services sectors in the past twelve months has not yet been finalised.

The total number of jobs lost and gained, and the total of net new full-time jobs created in manufacturing , for the period 2006-2011 is set out below.

There are now 205,700 people directly employed in manufacturing (both full-time and part-time), and a similar number of people employed indirectly: the total supported within the sector is therefore just over 400,000.

The following provides details of gains and losses in the services sector in agency supported companies.

However, in recent years there has been a decisive move towards an economy based on Services rather than Manufacturing. The Services sector accounts for two thirds of total employment. While the majority of service firms were not supported by the State, 125,644 persons were employed in Agency supported firms in 2011, an increase of 4.6% on 2010. 46,634 were employed by Irish companies with growth particularly strong in areas including business services, ICT and financial services.

Regarding the availability of appropriate skills for manufacturing positions, the Expert Group on Futures Skills Needs (EGFSN) and Forfás have recently undertaken detailed analyses of the skill needs in this sector. The recommendations in their report will be pursued in conjunction with the implementation of the separate Forfás Manufacturing Strategy to be finalised shortly. Where appropriate, specific actions to address skills issues in the manufacturing sector will be incorporated into the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which will be published in the coming days. The combined work of the Manufacturing Development Forum, Forfás and the EGFSN will provide a solid grounding for the achievement of sustainable growth in employment in manufacturing companies in the short term.