€20bn investment programmes to boost employment

JUST over €20 billion is to be invested over the next six years in programmes aimed at boosting employment.

Over the life of the National Development Plan (NDP) €6bn will be invested in research and development (R&D), which the Government says is vital if highly-skilled jobs are to be created.

Irish exports have begun to stall in recent years, growing by just 2% a year between 2001 and 2006 compared to the 6% rise in world trade over that period. If new employment is to be created Irish companies will have to develop “new value propositions and work processes” to attract investment.