Long-awaited plan met with a mixed reaction

There was mixed reaction to the Government’s long-awaited action plan on jobs, with groups welcoming proposals but claiming they were not backed up by funds.

Siptu, the country’s largest trade union, welcomed the partial credit guarantee and a micro finance fund for businesses that are aimed at sustaining existing companies and assisting start-up firms.

It also welcomed plans for improved co-ordination between departments and state agencies, including Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.

But Siptu economist, Marie Sherlock, added: “The challenge faced by the current Government is on a scale few have faced before. By the end of this year, Ireland will have recorded the largest loss of jobs of any economy across the industrialised world since the Great Depression. Over the period 2008-2012, the numbers in employment will have fallen by close to 17%.”

Sinn Féin claimed the plan was “a rehash” of old initiatives already unveiled.

The Government had also failed to tap a European micro finance fund of €500 million, which other countries had accessed, claimed party jobs spokesman Peadar Toibín.

“Despite the fanfare around this new jobs plan, there will be no new government money for jobs creation,” he added.

The Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed said the issues highlighted in the plan were based around increasing economic activity. But the group’s head of policy Bríd O’Brien said this did not necessarily guarantee the creation of actual jobs.

“There is a real danger that some of the opportunities that will be created will not be accessible to unemployed people,” she said adding that there was a huge skills gap there.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said it feared the plan would not help boost the demand for jobs in Ireland.

“It’s very heavily focused on the supply side of the economy but the biggest problem we have is on the demand side... it won’t really do the business in my view,” said David Begg.

Fianna Fáil said there was no new thinking in the plan.

Jobs spokesman Willie O’Dea said: “Minister Bruton has acknowledged there is no ‘big bang’ in this plan to deal with the unemployment crisis. He is underselling it — there is absolutely no new thinking at all.

“There has been no new funding announced alongside this plan and most worrying is the lack of any specific job creation target for 2012.”

The Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association chief executive Mark Fielding also expressed disappointment.

“The acid test is what new jobs will be created immediately as a result of Government action, and sadly, the answer is none,” said Mr Fielding.