Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to set specific targets for job creation with a view to a major positive impact on the creation of employment in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16004/20]
View answerIn a few short months, Ireland has gone from a position of record employment to record unemployment and faces an unprecedented challenge in terms of getting people back into employment. The Department of Finance’s Stability Programme Update (SPU) published in April indicated that employment is projected to fall substantially with approximately 220,000 jobs being lost this year. The Government's aim is to create 200,000 new jobs by 2025 as well as helping people currently unemployed due to COVID-19 back to work.
Since I took up the role of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, my focus has been on preparing the July Stimulus Package which will save jobs, create new ones and get our people back to work as quickly as possible. Not only must we overcome the current challenges, but we must also look ahead and set our economy on the right course for the future.
Already there are some welcome signs of improvement in business activity and the economy. However, sectors that employ a lot of people, such as tourism and hospitality, arts and entertainment and other services that rely on social interaction, continue to be in serious difficulty and their recovery prospects are highly uncertain.
My officials and I have been engaging with colleagues across Government to ensure that the needs of business are to the forefront in the preparation of the July Stimulus package. We know that many viable businesses will need additional support to help see them through the re-opening period and to help them adapt and refocus their business models.
While immediate focus is on preserving existing firms and jobs, the July package should also have an eye to exploiting emerging opportunities and attract high value projects with significant economic benefits. Importantly, the July Initiative must position our economy and firms to meet future challenges. In the near-term, this includes helping companies further in overcoming the challenges of Brexit but we also need to include measures that build enterprise resilience and help them transition to a low carbon future.
