Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

77 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has for job creation, particularly in relation to catering for the needs of the long-term unemployed and the examination of the various factors which tend to discourage persons in certain categories from seeking employment; if she will enter discussion with the relevant Departments in order to remove these obstacles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21962/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

The role of the Government is not to create jobs but to create the conditions for jobs growth. That was the whole underlying thrust of the budget and reflected the intensive consultations I had with ministerial colleagues.

This Government attaches a very high priority to the reintegration of the long-term unemployed to the labour market. In the budget we have introduced new initiatives and further developed existing policies and instruments, which are specifically targeted at assisting the long-term unemployed into jobs. These fiscal initiatives, the incentives and adjustments to the tax and welfare systems and active labour market programmes combined have as their overriding objective the removal of disincentives to work. The Deputy may be assured that I will continue to engage at ministerial and departmental level on all issues arising in this area.