29/01/2015

Govt Announce Action Plan For Jobs 2015

The Action Plan for Jobs 2015 has been published by the government.

Described as "the next step in the multi-annual process aimed at delivering full employment by 2018", the 2015 plan sets out in detail the 382 actions to be taken by government departments and state agencies.

Among the measures to be delivered in 2015 through the Action Plan for Jobs are:

• Regions – Regional Enterprise Strategies to be rolled out shortly across the country – including competitive funding initiatives of up to €25million, aimed at encouraging stakeholders in each region to cooperate to develop projects to support enterprise and job-creation in their area

• Startups – new measures to deliver on ambitious targets for job-creation by start-ups, including a new SURE tax incentive to provide funding for people starting businesses, and a Start Up Gathering to be held in Ireland during 2015

• Red tape – cut red tape by reducing the administrative burden of 750,000 business interactions with Government in 2015, and by delivering a streamlined online system for applying for 29 retail licenses in early 2015

• Skills – a National Talent Drive, including a 60% increase in the number of ICT graduates from the higher education system by 2018

• Innovation – make Ireland a European leader for intellectual property activities by business – including doubling by 2018 the number of patents, industrial designs registered and other measurable IP activities by businesses in Ireland. Also establishment during 2015 of a National Health Innovation Hub

• Energy – Ireland will become Europe’s Energy Innovation Hub by 2020 – by becoming a world leader in key parts of the innovative energy sector we will attract more mobile investment and develop more Irish businesses

• Exports – Over 27,000 new jobs in exporting companies during 2015, supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. Exports by Irish companies supported by EI to hit record €19billion during 2015

• Awareness – target increased awareness among business of Government supports available to help them, through a campaign centred around www.actionplanforjobs.ie , which will go live shortly

• Competitiveness and productivity – measures to support improved competitiveness and productivity, including  a €39million fund for businesses to make savings in energy and a new focus by the National Competitiveness Council on concrete measures that can deliver specific improvements

• Domestic economy – an increased focus on job-creation in the domestic economy, including measures to support the retail, construction and agriculture sectors

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD said: "As part of the Action Plan, a number of Government agencies will be shortly outlining their regional enterprise plans to map out what they will do to help create new jobs across Ireland. This is an essential part of our plan to ensure the recovery is felt nationwide and leads to balanced economic development. As we continue to plot the path to full employment in 2018, I expect that next year we will see more Irish people returning home to take up jobs than those leaving. This will be an important turning point in our economic recovery."

(MH/CD)

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