Vol. 506 No. 5
26 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself that economic growth and employment needs can be met in the future in view of current economic fundamentals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15810/99]
55 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to ensure the availability of sufficient jobs to meet the needs of an increased population and the availability of adequately skilled staff to meet current and future requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15811/99]
I propose to take Question Nos. 26 and 55 together.
Recent levels of economic and employment growth are at historically very high levels. There are now more than 1.5 million people at work, more than at any time in the history of the State. Since this Government has come to office the live register has fallen to its lowest level in 16 years. The unemployment rate at 6.4 per cent is less than half the rate of five years ago. The rate of labour force growth is also significant. Demographic factors including a move towards net inward migration all reveal the dynamics of our labour market.
I am satisfied that the economic fundamentals are in place for continuing economic and employment growth. I have this week launched the most recent, 1999 national employment action plan.
The overriding target in the 1999 action plan is to reduce unemployment to 5 per cent and long-term unemployment to 2 per cent, by the end of year 2000. Key strategic goals under the action plan are to mobilise labour supply by tapping into potential pools of labour, to enhance the quality of labour supply through investment in education and training, to strengthen the preventative element in the employment strategy, to continue the drive to re-integrate long-term unemployed into the open labour market, to support an increase in female labour force participation and to strengthen employment opportunities in new growth sectors.
The very successful implementation of the supports available to young unemployed under last year's action plan are being extended to adult unemployed under commitments entered into in the 1999 plan. These policies will be balanced with a continuation of the drive to re-integrate into the open labour market those who are long-term unemployed or otherwise excluded.
