Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

111. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects all of the jobs lost during the economic downturn to be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42244/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A key objective of the Action Plan for Jobs process, which this Government commenced in 2012, was to rebuild our economy based on enterprise and entrepreneurship, talent, innovation and exports and provide a solid foundation for future growth. Irish industry has to been to the forefront of the economic recovery, with our enterprises and entrepreneurs innovating, developing and improving their products and services to meet the needs of customers in markets across the globe.

The goal of this Government is to replace all of the jobs lost during the economic crisis by the end of 2018. This whole of Government effort has been integrated into the Action Plan for Jobs process which aims to strengthen the enterprise base, support entrepreneurship, improve competitiveness and support regional development.

The Action Plan for Jobs is working and we are making progress towards our goal of replacing all the jobs lost. Since the launch of the first plan in Q1 2012, 135,800 more people are at work - exceeding the original target of an additional 100,000 jobs by 2016. The unemployment rate has fallen below nine per cent for the first time since 2008, down from a high of 15.1 per cent in early 2012 and we are making progress on reducing the numbers of youth and long-term unemployed.

My intention is to publish the 2016 Action Plan in mid-January 2016. My Department is currently developing the 2016 Plan and is engaging bilaterally with Government Departments to identify actions to ensure that the 2016 Plan is as ambitious and impactful as possible and keeps us on track to achieve our goal to have 2.1 million people in employment by 2018.

The Action Plan for Jobs complements the Government’s Pathways to Work which sets out actions to be taken in support of those that are currently unemployed, in order to help them access the labour market and new job opportunities. The Tánaiste, and Minister for Social Protection, is developing a new Pathways to Work Strategy for the period 2016 to 2020. Our Departments will continue to build on the progress to date through the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work to ensure that more employment opportunities are available to those who are seeking work.

A strong economy with full employment that supports vibrant public services for our people is within our grasp if we make the right choices. Earlier this month we launched Enterprise 2025, the 10 year jobs and enterprise strategy, which sets out the roadmap to build a sustainable economy and have 2.18 million people at work by 2020, the highest in the history of the State.