asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in view of the decline in employment indicated in the recent labour force survey published by the Central Statistics Office, the specific job creation proposals he has; the modification in industrial policy he intends implementing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Job Creation Proposals.
130.
The preliminary results of the labour force survey recently published by the CSO showed a growth of 6,000 in manufacturing employment in the year to April 1989. This, together with increases in excess of 1,000 in commerce, insurance and finance and in excess of 2,000 in transport, communication and storage, indicates a strong growth in self-sustaining jobs.
The decline in total employment shown by the survey is primarily due to declines in public sector employment, in numbers in employment schemes and in the agricultural sector.
I believe that the fundamental policy of the Government in relation to the generation of employment is correct. This involves building competitive strengths in the economy so that sustained growth can be achieved in output and in jobs.
Industrial costs and interest rates are kept under control and the benefits of corrections in the public finances will flow through reductions in personal taxation. All of these steps support the momentum of job creation.
Industrial policy promotes the development of strong, internationally trading companies here with an increasing emphasis on the management, marketing and innovative resources necessary to achieve this. A wide range of development supports are available for this purpose and will be supported under the enlarged EC Structural Funds.
Modifications to industrial policy will take place as they prove to be necessary or desirable and my Department is at present undertaking a review of industrial performance under the Industrial Development Act, 1986 which will take such factors into account.