Government accused of ‘empty spin’ over initiative to create 20,000 jobs

A high-profile initiative to create 20,000 manufacturing jobs within three years came under fire after the Government said no new money would go to the scheme and its budget remains unclear.

The move was branded an “empty spin exercise” by opposition parties who accused ministers of “conning” the unemployed.

However, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton insisted that the Government would deliver on its promise — despite the fact that only about 1,200 net jobs have been created across the whole economy in the past year.

Billed as an “action plan for jobs”, Mr Bruton’s spokesperson said no new money would be forthcoming, stating that the funds will come from “reprioritising within existing budgets. Details of the precise figure are still being finalised.”

Sinn Féin employment spokesman Peadar Tóibín accused the Coalition of condemning the economy to a “lost decade”.

“What we need is impact and a stimulus programme, not just more spin,” said Mr Tóibín. “The Government has already promised to create 100,000 jobs — at the current rate of 1,200 net jobs a year, I calculate it should take them about 200 years to achieve that goal.

“As well as yet more empty promises, they are also giving us a lost decade.”

Fianna Fáil’s jobs spokesman, Dara Calleary, was also scathing: “There is no action and no new money. They are making promises they know they cannot keep to people suffering in unemployment. It is also a missed opportunity to promote the reskilling the economy needs.”

Under the plan, fledgling manufacturing companies will be able to apply for aid from a start-up fund. Cash support for research and development, and resources for capital investment also form part of the initiative, which also seeks to reduce energy costs for firms.

Mr Bruton said: “Despite a substantial decline over the past decade, manufacturing is a crucial sector, employing over 200,000 people directly and a similar number indirectly.

“We in Government believe that the sector has substantial capacity for jobs growth, and that is why we decided two years ago to examine new ways of targeting support at manufacturing.”

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said reskilling was a key part of the scheme.

“In order to maximise opportunities for growth and attracting investment, we need to ensure our people are offered opportunities to upskill and reskill in order to have the relevant, quality skills needed to avail of current and future job opportunities in this sector,” said Mr Quinn.

Forfás chief executive Martin Shanahan said: “We need a continued and concerted effort to address the barriers to growth in manufacturing. The employment outlook for the sector depends critically on addressing domestic competitiveness and a favourable international trading environment.”