Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the net number of jobs that were created in the green economy during 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4198/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Green Economy covers a wide range of sectors that have in common the objective of providing goods and services in a sustainable way that reduces the impact on the environment. In Ireland, it covers activities such as waste and water management, renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable food production, tourism, green financial services and green products and services.

It is internationally acknowledged that quantifying employment in the Green Economy is a difficult task. The numbers arrived at vary substantially depending on the definition and methodology used. Existing classification systems, such as NACE codes, are limited in terms of capturing activity in the Green Economy since it cuts across so many different sectors. However, in accordance with a commitment in the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs (Action 278), my Department is working on a preliminary study on benchmarking employment in the Green Economy in Ireland.

In addition, in December 2013, my Department published a Progress Report on Jobs and Growth in the Green Economy, highlighting some key developments since the Government Policy Statement on Growth and Employment in the Green Economy, Delivering our Green Potential, was published in November 2012. The Progress Report includes practical examples of enterprises which are creating jobs, driving exports and improving competitiveness through activity in the Green Economy in Ireland. The Progress Report is available on the publications page of my Department’s website: