Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created as a result of the increase in exports since the Government came to office. [42594/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Driving export growth is central to our economic recovery and is a key focus of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs. Enterprise Agency supported companies account for more than 80% of Ireland's total exports.

CSO figures show that our strong export performance is continuing. Total exports in 2012 by companies based in Ireland amounted to €182.155bn - an increase of 5.48% over the figure of €172.696bn for 2011.

In 2012, Enterprise Ireland had a record year for exports by their client companies of €16.2bn, which were up by €1bn, or 6%.

IDA supported companies also saw an increase in exports to €122bn in 2011, (the latest figures available) which were up by 8%, from €110bn in 2010.

2012, was also a particularly good year for job creation in companies supported by these Agencies, with IDA client companies creating a total of 12,722 gross new jobs. Clients of Enterprise Ireland created 12,861 gross new jobs. In total, agency assisted companies accounted for direct employment of 285,000 in 2011 and 294,000 in 2012, and are indirectly responsible for a similar number of jobs in ancillary and support services.

The latest Central Statistics Office release shows that employment increased by 33,800 in the year to Quarter 2 2013, net of a reduction of 5,400 in public sector numbers. This was the third consecutive Quarter where an increase in employment was recorded.

We have now moved from a situation where the private sector was losing over 7,000 jobs per month before this Government came to office, to the present situation where it is creating close to 3,000 jobs per month.

I am determined, through the implementation of the Government's annual Action Plan for Jobs process, to continue the transition to a sustainable economy, through growing our exports, and creating the jobs we need.

Central to the Action Plan is ensuring greater access for Irish companies to real opportunities to break into new markets, grow their exports and create much needed jobs for this economy.

I am currently preparing the 2014 Action Plan on behalf of the Government and we will continue, through that process, to build on the success of the actions we have taken over the last two years.