Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Ministerial Appointments

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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210. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the fact that there are over 275,000 persons employed by the Irish retail industry, making it Ireland's largest private sector employer; his views on the appointment of a junior Minister with specific responsibility for the retail industry. [35803/14]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Since it came into office, the Government has recognised the importance to the economy of the retail sector. The sector accounts for approximately 10% of GDP (approx. €16bn) and, together with the wholesale sector, employs almost 270,000 people throughout the country in every community of Ireland.

The Government’s Statement of Priorities to 2016, which was announced by the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste in July, places a particular focus on supporting jobs in the domestic economy, including the retail sector. This commitment builds on this year’s Action Plan for Jobs which includes a number of measures to support retail. These measures include the establishment of a Retail Consultation Forum to provide a platform for a structured engagement between the Retail sector and relevant Government Departments and agencies. The purpose of the Forum is to allow key issues of relevance to the retail sector to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by Government, or by industry itself, to support the sector.

The Retail Consultation Forum was established in June and is chaired by the Minister of State for Business and Employment at my Department, Ged Nash T.D. As a “Super Junior” Minister, Minister Nash attends Cabinet meetings and is therefore in a position to provide a direct link between the issues raised at the Retail Forum and Government.

The Forum has held two meetings to date and has discussed items for consideration in the context of Budget 2015 which might assist the recovery of the sector, as well as potential actions for inclusion in the 2015 Action Plan for Jobs.

Aside from the work of the Retail Forum, we will continue to implement other measures in the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs to support the retail sector, including the Trading On-Line voucher scheme and the development of an Integrated Licensing Application System for the Retail sector.

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