Government launches new jobs plan

The Government has today unveiled a plan aimed at creating 200,000 jobs by 2020.

It is hoped that half of this target will be achieved by 2016.

The plan aims to help create 20,000 jobs in manufacturing, 30,000 in internationally traded services and the remainder in spin-off jobs.

A loan guarantee scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises is included, as well as a fund to support very small companies.

The 121-page plan, which includes a table of actions, features more than 250 measures crossing all 15 Government departments and dozens of State agencies.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte said that the target number of jobs was not the important aspect of the plan.

"To be honest, I think what you do is set out a strategy that contributes to the growth of employment," said Minister Rabbitte

"You must set a target, but I don't think that's the most important thing.

"The most important thing is that we're exploiting the resources that we have and whatever competitive advantages we have in order to create employment."

Launching Action Plan for Jobs 2012 today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "The ultimate goal and top priority of Government has always been to get Ireland back to work.

"It is the all-consuming obsession of every Cabinet Minister at a time when we have never seen more people unemployed.

Economic recovery has to be matched by a jobs recovery. When the Government was first formed we were presented with a series of urgent challenges that demanded immediate attention to stabilise the economy and restore a degree of confidence in Ireland.

This was necessary for new investment and job growth. Now we must do more. This is why Government has put together this Action Plan for Jobs.

"We will target specific sectors with new policy supports and improve the way Government interacts with businesses by cutting costs and red tape. I will ensure that Government works hard to deliver on this ambitious plan."

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said: "Creating Jobs is the number one priority for the Government.

"As highlighted by President Clinton last week, Ireland has the opportunity to be the gateway, not just to Europe, but to billions of consumers in emerging markets.

"The Government is determined to take every possible step to build up our trade links and to create more and better jobs.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said: "With over 300,000 job losses since a flawed economic model collapsed in 2008, and more than 315,000 people currently unemployed, job-creation is this Government’s top priority.

"However, there is no ‘big bang’ solution to the jobs crisis built up through years of poor policy choices. It will take a period of hard work by businesses, Government, and people across the country to rebuild the economy brick by brick, reform by reform, to get back to sustainable enterprise-led growth where more businesses can start-up, expand and create new jobs.

"That is why this Government will implement Action Plan for Jobs 2012, an ambitious programme of reform across government and the economy to improve supports for business and remove barriers to job-creation in Ireland. We will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.

"It will not be easy, but we are determined to implement the plan, rebuild the economy and create the jobs we so badly need."