Action Plan attacked in Dáil

A stunt with no new money or meaningful targets was how the Government’s jobs action plan was branded in the Dáil.

Opposition leaders rounded on the initiative as merely a PR move which lacked any real chance of success.

Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams said the money going into the enterprise and jobs agencies was a fraction of that being paid to bank bondholders.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny defended the initiative, insisting that, unlike the Fianna Fáil/Green Party schemes announced by the previous government, this one would be implemented.

Mr Kenny conceded there was no extra money to spend, but said resources would be targeted at export-led initiatives as these were most beneficial to overall economic recovery.

Mr Adams ridiculed the plan, saying many elements had already been announced, and demanding to know how many would be taken off the unemployment lines by specific dates.

Mr Kenny said: “That’s like saying how many seagulls flew over the Phoenix Park in the last three weeks.

“This is a daft question and you know it. What you need to do is create an atmosphere and opportunity where business can flourish.”

Independent Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath warned the “elephant in the room” was the black economy which was costing the Revenue €5 billion per year.

Mr McGrath urged the Taoiseach to tread carefully over the future of county enterprise boards as they had created jobs in the past.

Meanwhile, it was announced the Taoiseach will make his third trip to the US in a period of five weeks next month.

Mr Kenny will celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Chicago, before flying to Notre Dame University in Indiana and then travelling on to New York and Washington.