Skip to main content
Normal View

Job Creation Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (600)

Dara Calleary

Question:

600. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the 2012 targets set for his Department for implementation of the Jobs Action Plan; if he will report on the attainment or otherwise of these targets; the reason targets were not met; the steps he is taking within his Department to create new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1278/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Action Plan for Jobs was launched by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 13 February 2012. The plan, which contains over 270 actions in total, sets out to improve supports for job-creating businesses and remove barriers to employment-creation across the economy.

While the Annual Report on the Action Plan has not yet been published by the Department of the Taoiseach, I can confirm that my Department has completed the actions set out for it in the Plan for 2012. In the Telecommunications area, these include publication of a National Broadband Plan, the delivery of Phase I of the 100Mbps to second level schools programme, and ongoing support for the digital sector through the Digital Hub Development Agency and the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC). In the Energy area, these include continuation of the Better Energy efficiency programmes while work continues on the development of a Pay As You Save Scheme (PAYS). Phase 2 of the National Smart Meter Programme has commenced and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) continue to expand the range of energy support services to SMEs and large energy users. Energy research programmes support the International Energy Research Centre in Cork and development of the Maritime and Energy Research Centre at UCC.

My Department continues to play an important role in supporting economic growth and job creation. Ongoing investment in energy programmes delivered by the SEAI are sustaining up to 3,000 construction-related jobs and energy research programmes are aimed at stimulating investment in new energy technologies and new enterprise opportunities. In the communications area, the National Broadband Plan which was published in 2012, aims to deliver a minimum of 30Mbps broadband connectivity to all parts of Ireland and to support industry in delivering significantly higher speeds in some areas, thereby underpinning economic growth and job opportunities. Ongoing support for the Digital Hub Development Agency and the NDRC also aims to foster innovation and the development of indigenous digital enterprises.

The national rollout of the 100Mbps to all post-primary schools project is continuing and all schools will be connected by the end of 2014. This is a key investment in the future workforce as the use of high speed broadband in schools can facilitate better learning outcomes and sharing of critical resources. The Department also continues to fund the Digital Hub and the NDRC. In 2012, 78% of the companies based at the Digital Hub expanded their business operations, with 44% hiring additional staff and two-thirds planning to expand their workforce in 2013. Over 70% of the companies at the Hub export their products and services. In addition to enterprise development at the Digital Hub, NDRC start-ups and companies have created 155 full-time jobs and 66 part-time jobs by the end of 2012 as a direct result of the projects NDRC has supported.

I am also very conscious of the impact of Energy and Telecommunications infrastructure on competitiveness. This is primarily a function of the quality of the infrastructure and the price of the services. The Department engages intensively in an ongoing way on these issues and works with the Energy and Communications regulators in this regard. The main policy objectives are to promote investment, quality service and competition. There have been significant improvements in both quality of service and competition in both Energy and Telecommunications in recent years.

In the case of Energy, the major investment by the State Companies in the key electricity and gas networks has delivered a modern and reliable infrastructure. This has been complemented by significant private sector involvement especially in electricity generation and supply which has transformed the competitive landscape from the State monopoly situation of previous years. As a result, and notwithstanding the small size of the Irish market, there are now seven suppliers in the electricity market and eight in the gas market. These developments have led to the growth of a very competitive market. This is evidenced by the very high degree of switching of supplier in both the domestic and business sectors. This competition is crucial given Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation, by far the major contributor to the price of electricity, and a factor over which we have no control.

Top
Share