The Programme for Government outlines a number of measures which the Government will take to resource a Jobs Fund which will facilitate jobs growth and sustainable enterprise. Key elements of the approach will include:
providing resources for an additional 15,000 places in training, work experience and educational opportunities for those who are out of work;
cutting the 13.5% rate of VAT to 12% up to end 2013 to help labour-intensive economic activity;
halving the lower 8.5% rate of PRSI up to end 2013 on jobs paying up to €356 per week;
implementing a number of sectoral initiatives in areas that will create employment in the domestic economy;
initiating a long-term strategy to develop new markets in emerging economies;
securing additional resources for the national housing energy retrofitting plan, which will create jobs in the construction sector;
expanding eligibility for the back to education allowance; and
accelerating labour-intensive capital works, including in respect of schools and secondary roads.
The Taoiseach has indicated that the Government will introduce a Jobs Budget within its first 100 days in office to give effect to these, and other, growth strategies. These measures will be implemented across a number of different Government Departments. For my own part, I intend to develop initiatives to target particular sectors where there is greatest opportunity to capitalise on the strengths of our enterprise base and our people. I have already started working with the enterprise development agencies under my Department's remit to develop a Jobs Programme that will develop the detail of these initiatives.
I will also be working with my Government colleagues to address the cost of doing business and to further reduce the administrative burden on firms. Collectively, the actions taken across Government will stimulate the economy, facilitate enterprises and encourage job creation.