Jobs Action Plan target is reached

WE must keep our eyes on the prize and continue carefully implementing the policies necessary to deliver sustainable full employment by 2018.

That’s the view of Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, after figures published last week showed that the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs target has been surpassed.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that 104,600 extra jobs have been created since the initiative was launched at the beginning of 2012.

The figures also show that the unemployment rate has hit 9.8 per cent, the first time it has dipped below 10 per cent since January 2009.

Minister Bruton said every job created is a life back on track, a family improved and a community enhanced.

“It is also job-creation that allows us to grow tax revenues and ultimately improve services and cut taxes, and that is why we have made employment our very top priority,

? he said.

“When in early 2012 we launched the Action Plan for Jobs and set the ambition of creating 100,000 extra jobs by end 2016, many people criticised us for being too ambitious.

“However, with workers, businesses and Government working together, we have carefully implemented our plan.

“Official figures from the Central Statistics Office showing that 104,600 extra jobs have been created since we launched the Action Plan for Jobs is an important milestone, and gives us confidence that the plan is working.

?

Minister Bruton conceded that there were still many people around the country who were not yet feeling the benefits of the improving economy.

“There is still a long way to go before we can say we have replaced all the jobs that were lost, before we can attract young emigrants home in large numbers, before we can have jobs available for all the unemployed,

? he added.

“This news is an important milestone which gives us confidence that the plan is working.

?

The figures also show that 41,300 extra jobs were created in the past 12 months.