Vol. 377 No. 1
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the plans, if any, he has to ensure that the job creation targets set out in the Programme for National Recovery are adhered to in 1988, with regard to his portfolio in general; and in particular, the State companies under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
60.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the elements of industrial strategy which he believes will yield most in terms of increased employment.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 60 together.
In reply to a number of parliamentary questions on this general subject on 18 November 1987, the Government's overall strategy for employment creation and, in particular, the strategy for industrial development and associated employment generation as set out in the Programme for National Recovery was outlined.
The industrial development agencies under the aegis of my Department are putting in place job targets for 1988 based on the overall target for manufacturing in the programme. Moreover they have reorganised their structures and personnel to line up with the programme's strategies and targets. I shall be monitoring progress in these areas very closely.
I am satisfied that implementation of the various policy initiatives, together with continued improvement of the industrial environment, constitute the best strategy to achieve the objectives set.
More generally, the targets set in the programme are being monitored by the programme's review and monitoring committee under the chairmanship of the Department of the Taoiseach and on which my Department is represented.
The two commercial State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department were not specifically referred to in the programme.
