Govt Launches Jobs Action Plan

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has launched the first annual Action Plan for Jobs, the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs.

The plan, contains over 270 motions to be implemented this year by all 15 Government Departments as well as 36 State agencies.

The Government says the plan will improve supports for job-creating businesses and remove barriers to employment-creation across the economy.

Announcing the plan on Monday, the jobs Minister said the plan built on work across Government to deliver reform and create economic growth, and would deliver on the 'third major strand' of Government’s economic programme.

Launching Action Plan, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD 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.

Also commenting, the Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore TD, 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."

(DW)