John Ellis
Ceist:96 Mr. Ellis asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs created since the inception of the Western Development Partnership Board action in counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. [21567/96]
Written Answers. - Western Development Partnership Board.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) provides annual information on the numbers of persons at work classified by region. The annual change in the numbers at work depends both on the number of jobs created and the number of jobs lost. However, statistics on the total numbers of jobs created or jobs lost are not available, either from the LFS or other CSO sources.
The most recent regional results from the LFS, showing numbers at work, relate to April 1995 and corresponding results for April 1996 will be available in January 1997.
The aim of the Western Development Partnership Board, established by the Government in October 1994, is to develop a strategic focus for economic and social development in the western region, with the objective of achieving population stability by the end of the decade at 1991 census levels on a county by county basis.
The board launched its action plan, "The Challenge — a positive future through action" in May last year. A number of key decisions have been take by the Government on foot of recommendations made in the plan including the establishment of a western development commission. Discussions are continuing with relevant Departments on a variety of sectoral development proposals outlined in the plan.