Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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97. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the success or otherwise of the south east jobs plan; if he will consider such a move for other geographic regions such as the south west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of the South East Region Employment Action Plan was initiated in 2011 as a result of a major and unexpected company closure, i.e. the Talk Talkcall centre, with the loss of 575 jobs. This company had been one of the most significant employers in Waterford City.

In addition, in 2011, the South East Region had the highest Unemployment rate in the State, significantly higher than most of the other Regions. For these reasons, I considered that a special and focussed effort was warranted to address the deep seated economic problems facing the region. Accordingly, I asked Forfás to develop a Strategy for the region and the resultant South East Region Employment Action Planwas published in December that year.

To pursue implementation of the Plan, I established a South East Forum, which comprises representatives of key State stakeholders from the region. This was a unique opportunity for key Agencies and bodies to work together in a coordinated way to actively pursue the initiatives to facilitate development and job creation in the region. I have chaired several meetings of the Forum and it is committed to drive economic development and address blockages. There has been significant progress in terms of job creation by the development agencies, with notable successes by both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. In addition, infrastructural improvements, progress on educational initiatives and several other developments have also been achieved.

However, the circumstances giving rise to the initiation of the South East Plan were unique. Accordingly, I consider that it is not practicable or effective to establish jobs task forces or specific jobs plans around the country as a general mechanism to address high unemployment. I believe that to embark on such a course would involve diverting the various State Agencies from their on-going efforts to create jobs. A considerable administrative commitment is involved in servicing any additional committees and groups which may be set up and, given the constrained staff resources facing all public sector bodies at present, I am strongly of the opinion that establishing such additional groups, except in very exceptional circumstances, would not be in the best interests of using the State’s resources effectively.