Written Answers. - Job Creation.
Arthur Morgan
Question:
152
Mr. Morgan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the meaning of the term prestigious jobs used by the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey in Dáil Éireann on 5 November when he was explaining the reason IDA Ireland jobs are more expensive than Enterprise Ireland jobs; and if the brief of Enterprise Ireland can be extended in order that it too could have the capacity to create prestigious jobs.
[21708/02]
The industrial development agencies under the remit of my Department, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, are very aware of the importance of all jobs created in the economy. In view of the changing global economic environment increasing emphasis is placed by all agencies on the creation of high value sustainable jobs, both in the indigenous and multinational sectors.
Since the establishment of Enterprise Ireland in 1998 we have seen a repositioning of Irish industry to become a knowledge based, technologically sophisticated sector capable of trading successfully on the global marketplace. The quality of employment opportunities in Irish companies reflects this trend.
In working with its client companies Enterprise Ireland's focus is increasingly directed towards encouraging applied research both within companies themselves and in conjunction with the third level sector. In so doing Enterprise Ireland supports activities ranging from the establishment of new high potential start up companies, many of which emanate from the third level sector, to the development of existing companies based on new product and process development.
The software and internationally traded services sector continues to be the fastest growing sector of Irish industry. The sector, which employs a high proportion of graduates and postgraduates, is a significant contributor to export based revenue generation in the economy, and is an example of the high quality jobs attainable in the indigenous sector.
In recognition of the importance of the creation of an environment that is conducive to the establishment of high technology start-ups and one that accelerates the growth of such enterprises Enterprise Ireland is committed to the provision of a number of webworks facilities throughout the country. It is envisaged that each webwork will house companies in the areas of informatics, electronic business, health sciences and digital media, thereby facilitating the creation of significant job opportunities in these areas.
For its part, IDA Ireland has always sought to achieve maximum value for State resources while at the same time seeking to bring high quality and sustainable investment and employment to Ireland. The success of the economy over the past decade and the aspirations for the future means that the focus of the agency is more strongly than ever on increasing job quality. Ireland is no longer a competitive location for low wage basis manufacturing projects. The focus now and for the future must be on attracting investment requiring high skill levels, that is, as far as possible, innovation rather than production orientated, and that links to an increasingly sophisticated business environment. Only economic activities with these characteristics can justify high wage levels and so allow us to maintain economic growth in the absence of the strong labour surplus we had up until recently.
The creation of highly skilled or prestigious jobs is an aspiration of all the industrial development agencies. It is considered the most appropriate road to sustainable employment into the future.
