asked the Minister for Finance if the national employment creation target will not be met this year and if so, the Government's proposals to rectify this position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Creation Target.
15.
The Programme for National Development 1978-81 set out the conditions necessary for realising the employment target increase of 25,000 per annum over the three-year period 1978-81. It became clear in 1979 that these conditions would not be fulfilled notably in relation to the external price assumptions.
The most recent White Paper, Investment and National Development 1979-83, contained no fixed employment targets but indicated that the likely employment performance, while less than the original target, would be largely determined by the domestic response to the difficult external conditions. The employment prospects for the four-year period ahead are now being reassessed in the light of the latest economic developments.
Increased employment continues to be a prime goal of the Government's economic and social policy and this is reflected in the increased financial allocations in 1980 for such employment-creating bodies as the IDA and CTT.
In view of the shortfall in the Government's projected target of 10,000 extra jobs last year, what proposal does the Minister have to meet the commitment given in the manifesto to provide an extra 30,000 jobs this year and next year?
I said in my reply that this would be influenced by two factors. One is external——
(Interruptions.)
The picture is not very reassuring at this stage when international targets are being revised downwards all the time. Since the original targets were mentioned obviously these international targets have to be taken into account. There have been some very significant downturns in the international economy which Deputies will appreciate is of particular significance to Ireland which has an open economy.
It was just as open in May 1977.
The second factor is internal and relates to our reaction to these external events which will determine to a very considerable extent our employment capacity. The Government note with some degree of satisfaction at this stage the level of industrial peace we have experienced which enabled us to maintain our exports and thereby secure our employment programme.
In view of the internal and external factors we know of—that the rate of economic growth will be 1 per cent or less, that inflation will be over 20 per cent, and that last year there was a shortfall of 10,000 in the Government's commitment to job creation—could the Minister tell us how the Government intend to meet the target?
I can tell the Deputy what happened here has been noted elsewhere. In this period of international economic recession, the performance of the Irish economy is very satisfactory and has been noted by many of our partners, particularly in the area of employment. This is something the Government are determined to maintain, as has been indicated through agencies available to us.
In view of the fact that there was a shortfall of 10,000 jobs last year——
The Deputy already asked that question.
——in the Government's proposed targets when economic circumstances were much more favourable, is it not reasonable to assume that the shortfall this year will be even greater?
It is reasonable to assume that the target referred to in the Programme for National Development 1978-81——
Whose programme was it?
——will not be reached this year and the preface indicated that between the date of that target and the publication, international developments were such as to cause it to be revised downwards. Not only is it reasonable to assume that, but it is essential that the Government and this House take note of these realities and ensure that in our planning and programming we will do all we can to cushion the impact on our own foreign programmes.
The sharp reality the Minister refers to is that there will be a substantial decline even in last year's figure of 10,000.
The reality is that our employment programmes are——
(Interruptions.)
Our unemployment figure did not reach the record low recorded when the Coalition were in office.
Is it proposed to count the five extra jobs for Ministers of State created by this administration as part of their contribution to employment this year?
Question No. 16.
They are expensive jobs. Will they be counted in the statistics?
Order. Question No. 16.
We want to celebrate whatever success the Government have in job creation. I merely wanted to know if these five posts would be counted.