asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will indicate the number of new job approvals for the years 1977, 1978 and 1979 together with the number of such job approvals for the years 1977, 1978 and 1979 together with the number of such jobs actually filled; and the reasons for the shortfall, if any.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Jobs.
22.
I take it the Deputy is referring to jobs grant-aided by the IDA and SFADCo. I am informed by these bodies that the total number of grant-aided jobs approved in 1977, 1978 and 1979 were as follows:
|
Year |
New Grant-Aided Jobs Approved |
|
1977 |
24,392 |
|
1978 |
32,756 |
|
1979 |
37,570 |
It is calculated by the bodies that the total number of first-time grant aided jobs filled in 1978 was 12,100 and in 1979, 16,800. Figures for 1977 are not available as statistics did not identify first-time jobs filled prior to 1978. These figures moreover do not include the Shannon Industrial Estate for which the figures are not available.
The Deputy will be aware that total job approvals in any year cannot be directly related to first-time jobs filled in that year as the number of new jobs arising in any particular year is normally attributable more to approvals in preceding years than to approvals in that year. The IDA estimate that about 20 per cent of the jobs approved in any year will actually be filled in that year. In the case of medium/large projects some 60 per cent of the expected jobs on average are translated into actual jobs within five years. Small industries bring jobs into being more quickly. About 15 per cent of job approvals are in projects which do not proceed and for which grants are not paid.
Does the Minister appreciate my concern that the figures published should be as accurate as possible? Does the Minister agree that the figures should be as realistic as possible in respect of job approvals and jobs actually filled? Take the figure for 1979. Fewer than half the number of approvals were filled. Does the Minister think the figures for job approvals are as realistic as they should be?
Often there are arrears left over from the year before. For instance, Gaeltarra Éireann are not included.
I presume these figures are analysed in advance. What percentage of job approvals are never actually filled?
I have given the Deputy figures. I said in my reply that small industries bring jobs into being more quickly. About 15 per cent of job approvals are in projects which do not proceed and for which grants are not paid.
Am I correct in saying that one third of job approvals are not actually filled?
No. The figure is 15 per cent.
My question arises out of the situation in a town where there are 100 vacancies forecast but eventually only 20 or 30 people get work. The remaining job approvals are never filled.
It is 15 per cent. There are a lot of figures.
I want only one figure.
Is it not a fact that the public are being bamboozled by figures for job approvals but jobs not filled.
We have had a number of supplementaries on this question. We must move to Question No. 23.
I have yet to ask a supplementary. As Deputy Horgan said, people are being bamboozled by job approval figures.
Paper jobs.