Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
295 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of new jobs created in the economy in the past 18 months; the way this compares with earlier periods since 2008; if he will indicate the skills levels required for these jobs; if he is satisfied regarding the competitiveness of the economy and the sustainability of the jobs so far created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27512/12]
View answerThe figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively on an annualised basis.
The figures in respect of jobs created in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those in companies assisted by the CEBs are set out in Table 1 accompanying this reply. As there are no figures available in respect of jobs created in CEB-supported companies prior to 2011, details of jobs existing in those companies from 2008 to 2010 inclusive are set out in Table 2. There is no information available specific to skills requirements.
The jobs created with agency and CEB assistance contribute greatly to the development of local economies throughout the country and, in addition, the agencies and CEBs work closely with their clients both in the early start-up stages of businesses and also to ensure the sustainability of those businesses through on-going support, advice and mentoring.
The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) has pointed out that Ireland has become significantly more cost competitive since 2008. The World Economic Forum rankings showed Ireland's position holding steady last September (where we stayed at 29th out of 134 countries), with the Institute for Management Development (IMD) Work Competitiveness Yearbook released last week showing Ireland's headline position recovering back into the top 20 (up from 24th in 2011, out of 59 countries). The IMD places Ireland in the top 10 in relation to our business efficiency. This mirrors our 10th position overall in the World Bank's "Doing Business" listings (out of 183 countries). Both of these are a good foundation to build on in seeking, as I have regularly outlined in recent months, our Government's ambition to make Ireland the "Best small country in which to do business". We have jumped ahead of a number of other small countries in the latest results, such as Belgium and New Zealand. We need to make sure that we tackle those remaining areas where we can best support our enterprises and our people.
To make that happen, we need companies, employers, entrepreneurs and innovators who are all viable and thriving, and an enterprise environment that is supportive of their efforts, allowing enterprise and creativity to flourish and quality employment opportunities to be grown and maintained. Many of the actions which we are pursuing through the "Action Plan for Jobs 2012" are aimed at improving Ireland's overall competitiveness — reducing costs and ensuring that the enterprise environment (regulation, infrastructure, availability of skills) are all supportive of those companies which can sustain and create jobs.
|
No. of Jobs Created between 2008 and 2011 in Companies supported by the Enterprise Development agencies and the County and City Enterprise Boards |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Enterprise Ireland |
IDA Ireland |
Shannon Development |
County and City Enterprise Boards |
|
2008 |
13,885 |
9,203 |
576 |
— |
|
2009 |
8,463 |
5,239 |
260 |
— |
|
2010 |
10,966 |
9,075 |
347 |
— |
|
2011 |
9,038 |
11,594 |
406 |
7,253 |
|
Year |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Jobs existing in CEB-supported companiesBased on CEB Annual Employment Survey |
33,811 |
30,726.5 |
32,910 |
