asked the Taoiseach if he will prepare and publish an up-to-date progress report on achievement of the job creation targets in The Programme for National Recovery with particular reference to semi-State companies and the natural resource areas identified in the programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Progress Report on Job Targets.
5.
The position is that it has been agreed between the Government and the social partners in the Central Review Committee of the Programme for National Recovery that a progress report on job creation will be prepared for the half-year to end June 1988 as early as possible after the summer. This progress report will cover the up-to-date position by economic sector and will include the position for State companies and the natural resources areas specified by the Deputy. In the meantime, the Government are actively pressing ahead with all the development projects identified in the programme.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reassurance that the Government are pressing ahead. Could he outline for the benefit of the House a particular sectoral area where there have been job increases in line with the Programme for National Recovery?
In the tourist industry alone the best estimate is that last year we created 4,000 new jobs. I can assure the Deputy that the appropriate bodies and agencies are confident the target of 20,000 extra jobs will be met this year.
I would refer the Taoiseach to those parts of the programme which deal with the beef industry and with the marine. In the beef industry 1,000 new jobs are to be created over five years, but we have been suffering job losses in this area during the past eight months. Many meat factories are now operating a three-day week. How can the Taoiseach equate this with his statement that jobs will be increased? In relation to the Department of the Marine the programme states: "The estimated potential of inland fisheries——
Quotations at Question Time are not in order.
I want to give the Taoiseach the information to enable him to reply fully.
This is Question Time, Deputy.
The Taoiseach mentioned tourism as a job creation area. It is claimed that there is potential for 1,500 new jobs in community-based projects with local funding. How can the Taoiseach equate that with what is happening in the tourism industry, particularly in regard to a matter which I am not allowed to mention? He is talking about increasing the number of jobs in tourism, yet because of Government indecision in relation to a decision made some months ago we are now losing jobs and losing money in tourism. In relation to those two industries, how is the programme being fulfilled?
My best assessment is that this will be a bumper year for Irish tourism with a greatly increased number of visitors and a greatly increased income, as well as a considerable increase in the number of jobs provided during the tourist season.
Is the Taoiseach hooked on that answer?
Is the Taoiseach aware that in the 15 sectors mentioned in part V of the programme there has been no increase in employment and that in five of the sectors there has been a decrease? In the light of these facts, would the Taoiseach not now try to renegotiate this so-called Programme for National Recovery since there is no indication of any development in relation to employment?
The Taoiseach is well aware of the little game being played by Deputy Desmond in particular.
More obfuscation.
He is seeking to undermine the agreement for his own political reasons. I want to assure Deputy Desmond that despite his very efforts the high level of co-operation and confidence that exists between this Government and the social partners will continue undiminished.
(Interruptions.)