Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2004
50 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the claim made by the Small Firms’ Association that the country was on track to lose more than 30,000 jobs in 2004; her views on this assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18045/04]
View answerWhile significant levels of redundancies continue to be notified to my Department, employment growth in Ireland continues to be extremely robust and considerably better than the European average. That is a reflection of the strength of the Irish economy.
As the Small Firms' Association itself recently recognised publicly, I have now, as Minister with responsibility for small business, presided over the most prolonged period of economic success that the owner-managed sector in this country has ever enjoyed. Personal taxes have been reduced, and living standards for 1.8 million workers have increased beyond the average of the EU for the first time in our history. Education, health, welfare and infrastructural spending have all increased. Ireland has an historically low interest rate regime, and the association also acknowledged that our current inflation rate is also low by historical standards.
The development of a competitive economy is a central tenet of generating sustainable employment and growth and is the focus of this Government's policies.
Initiatives by the Government and the State development agencies, including reducing the burden of unnecessary legislation, are aimed at helping the country progress towards a knowledge and innovation driven economy.
Ongoing six-monthly assessment of our competitive position will ensure that appropriate and timely actions are taken to address identified weaknesses.
I might also add that the IDA believes that this year will be the best since 2000 for new investment into Ireland and an increase in the value and scale of activities in overseas companies operating here. That view is based on contacts with client companies and strong indications of a substantial recovery in growth in the global economy and consequent increased flows of foreign direct investment.
