Since 1987, this Government and its predecessor have formulated and implemented a set of consistent, pro-employment, economic policies embracing fiscal responsibility, exchange stability and international competitiveness in particular. Those policies have been shown to be successful, most recently by the Labour Force Survey results published last October. That survey indicates continuing growth in employment outside agriculture and, more particularly, in the non-agricultural private sector. Even in the face of current unfavourable international developments, other indicators suggest that employment continues to hold up well. The Government have, of course, also secured major expansion in the Community's Structural Funds, which is being used to strengthen further the competitive ability of Irish producers on international markets, and will underpin employment growth in the years ahead. In addition, the Government intend to establish an employment and training programme for persons on the live register for at least two months which will largely be financed from structural funds. The aim of this programme is to provide up to 10,000 places in training and up to 15,000 places in employment in the private sector in 1992.
While I will always remain open to any soundly-based proposals which offer the prospect of enhancing growth of self-sustaining, lasting employment the policies which this Government have been and are pursuing represent the best primary strategy for job creation.
The Deputy has also sought my views on an interventionist common, i.e. Community) industrial policy. This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce. As he has indicated to you in response to a previous question, a common approach to EC industrial policy was agreed at Community level in November 1990 through the creation of open competitive markets and by measures to promote a favourable economic environment.
