Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 4

Written Answers. - Job Creation Initiative.

Bernard Allen

Question:

65 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the impact of EC Commissioner Flynn's initiative to create 20 million jobs by the year 2000, at the launch of European Employment Week in Brussels on Monday, 18 October 1993; and the way in which Ireland proposes to link into this initiative.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I take it that the initiative to which the question refers is the various suggestions regarding the employment-unemployment situation at European level which were set out by Commissioner Flynn at the launch of the European Employment Week in Brussels on 18 October 1993.

In his speech, the Commissioner indicated that the member states of the European Union would need to create at least 20 million jobs in order to achieve a target of 5 per cent unemployment in the Union by the year 2000. In this regard, he outlined a number of suggestions and ideas for change including: greater income moderation for those at work; strengthening efforts to re-integrate the long term unemployed; looking at the organisation of working time; strengthening employment prospects for women; greater labour market flexibility; strengthening the role of local development.

The broad thrust of these ideas and suggestions are very much in line with our own employment policies and programmes.

The Commissioner's speech was, in my view, a very valuable and constructive contribution to the on-going debate in Europe and indeed around the world in relation to the employment-unemployment situation which, at long last, is at the top of the international agenda. We, for our part, will continue to contribute fully to this debate both within the European Union and in other relevant fora such as the OECD.