Bruton promises 48,000 new jobs

The Government has promised that nearly 50,000 jobs will be created during 2014, with jobs minister, Richard Bruton, suggesting such a figure might even be considered “conservative”.

Speaking after yesterday’s formal adjustment announcement, Mr Bruton said that “more people will be at work next year as a result of this budget”.

He said that his department will support more than 48,000 new jobs next year — a figure based on gross estimate of 24,000 jobs being created equally between the IDA and Enterprise Ireland; and “a conservative calculation” of knock-on job creation — through supply companies and support services — totalling 20,000 positions.

County Enterprise Boards/Local Enterprise Offices are expected to support the creation of a further 4,500 jobs during the year. “I think we can be confident about these projections,” the minister said, before hailing Budget 2014 as “another pro-jobs, pro-enterprise budget” and a “further clear statement of intent by this Government to continue the job we started in 2011 to rebuild our shattered economy”.

“Budget 2014 is aimed at building on and accelerating the progress we are making in addressing the massive jobs challenge we inherited. In an extremely difficult budgetary environment, I am happy that investment right across my department’s capital programme in 2014 will continue in line with 2013 expenditure levels, and new funding is being provided for CEB/LEO initiatives.”

Mr Bruton confirmed that on the back of this budget, his department will support the creation of almost 50,000 jobs in 2014.

“We will continue the cross-Government focus on the jobs agenda with continued support for €2bn in non-bank credit schemes for business and further new incentives for start-ups and SMEs. And in 2014, total spending on research and innovation supported by my department through Enterprise Ireland and SFI, at over €400m, will be in line with 2013 levels.”