asked the Minister for Energy the number of new jobs created by his Department during 1987; and the job creation projections he has for 1988.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Job Creation Projections.
12.
My Department's direct role in job creation arises out of my responsibilities in the area of forestry development.
While no permanent jobs were created during 1987, there were on average 300 temporary jobs created at various forest centres throughout the year. In 1988 the forest service will employ in the region of 400 temporary workers and it is expected that a further 150 jobs approximately will be generated in the private sector. In both areas the additional employment will arise from the increased level of planting.
In the light of the Minister's reply I should like to know the status of the proposals outlined in the programme published last week of roughly 3,000 jobs coming under the Energy aegis from the ESB, BGE, Bord na Móna, forestry and so on?
The only direct responsibility I have is in the forestry area. The others are semi-State structures and, consequently, it is not normal for the Minister to get involved in the day to day running of them. However, the job creation projects outlined in the Programme for National Recovery are in line with the projections of the semi-State concerns.
When the Minister refers to potential job creation in the area covered by his Department is he referring also to the 200 jobs to be created by the expansion of hydro-electricity production units throughout the country as mentioned in the plan? Does the Minister not feel that it is ludicrous to be considering further electricity generation at a time when we have spare capacity?
On the contrary: the 200 jobs we are talking about as part of the ESB's portion of the Valoren project will be on small hydro plants which will replace very expensive imported oil and coal and our gas.
We have over capacity here.