The number of jobs which I announced in IDA and Shannon Development approved projects during the first two months of 1990 is 2,320.
The number of jobs announced by the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the corresponding period in 1989 was 1,518.
Of the total number of jobs announced by the Minister for Industry and Commerce during the first two months of 1989, 326 were filled by November 1989 according to the IDA's and Shannon Development's annual employment surveys.
Because of the time lag between investment decisions and the creation of jobs on the ground, all project announcements by me clearly state that the jobs target is to be achieved over a period of time, normally ranging from two to five years.