IBEC job creation plan calls for ‘radical and decisive steps’

A WORK placement scheme for the unemployed, major reform of state employment services and a substantial loan guarantee scheme for SMEs feature prominently in a new job creation plan submitted to Government by employers’ representative body, IBEC.

The organisation is looking for the Government to take “radical and decisive” steps in order to tackle the jobs crisis and restore confidence.

IBEC’s director general, Danny McCoy, said a new approach to job creation is “desperately needed”.

“We’ve been in crisis-management mode for far too long; now is the time to take positive steps to get the economy back on track. Business will provide the job opportunities that the country so desperately needs, but Government must ensure the conditions are right,” he said.

Mr McCoy said that the new Government needs to put jobs and economic renewal “at the very top” of its agenda.

“Every government department needs to play its part in getting people back to work and restoring our economic fortunes,” he said.

“The country has been through a period of immense economic turmoil and tough choices remain. We need to unite behind a shared vision that puts jobs first. This must focus on reducing costs, improving competitiveness and ensuring that we continue to restore balance to the public finances,” he added.

IBEC also wants an overhaul of the wage rules that set minimum terms and conditions in many sectors of the economy and the establishment of new third-level courses to help move those people with construction-related skills into new areas of employment.

Ahead of the Government’s ‘jobs initiative’ launch, the Irish Tax Institute has also submitted proposals to the Cabinet.

Amongst these are a reduction in the current rate of VAT from 13.5% to 12%; reducing employer PRSI for the lower paid; amending the R&D tax credit regime to make it more attractive and accessible to smaller businesses; maintaining the 12.5% corporate tax rate and introducing a single business tax for micro enterprises.