We need luck to meet job creation target

On February 13 Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced his Government’s action plan to create 100,000 new jobs over the following four years.

The plan also envisages 2,000,000 people in employment by 2020.

To succeed, the strategy will need to pass milestones of 25,000 new jobs each year. That will require a sustained average net growth of 6,000 to 7,000 jobs per quarter.

Figures published by the CSO show that, at the end of last year, 1,800,000 people had a job. At the end of March this year, 21,000 fewer people were working compared with the previous quarter. Seasonally-adjusted the decrease was 7,000.

Nevertheless, the historic data shows that over the 4.25 years from Jun 2003 to Sept 2007, employment rose by 350,000 from 1,800,000, to reach 2,150,000. During the 4.25 years from then until the end of last year, it fell back again to 1,800,000. Can we clutch at any green shoots?

The Government is hoping for an upturn in the economy before the next general election. In fairness, they plan to buck the long-term historical trends. They seek to create favourable conditions that will generate new jobs when the economic tide eventually turns again. Meanwhile, Europe dithers.

Our leaders deserve some luck. As Napoleon said, “Give me lucky generals.” A few prayers and a lot of hard work would not go astray, either.

Michael Mernagh

Raheens

Carrigaline

Co Cork