Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 7

Written Answers - Job Gains and Losses.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

98 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs relocated from Ireland to low waged economies in the past 12 months; if any further relocations are threatened; the action, if any, she proposes to take to offset these challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26243/98]

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

Comprehensive data is not readily available on the number of jobs relocated from Ireland to low-wage economies in the past 12 months. However, relocation of production facilities from Ireland to such economies has not been significant in recent years.

Competition from low-wage economies is an ongoing factor affecting labour intensive industries here. Policy is directed at encouraging these industries to reposition in higher value-added areas and to adopt product development and other measures to improve competitiveness. A wide range of programmes is administered by the industrial development agencies to facilitate such action.

I have already outlined in my reply to the Deputy on 3 November 1998 measures being taken to maximise the attractiveness of Ireland as a continuing desirable location for foreign and indigenous investment and to ensure that existing industry is competitive.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

99 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new jobs created in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26244/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

100 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of job losses incurred in the past 12 months; the reasons for these losses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26245/98]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.

The following table shows the number of new jobs created and the number of job losses in Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development assisted companies during 1997. The figures are based on the 1997 Forfás Employment Survey. Forfás is currently finalising the 1998 survey.

Jobs Created	29,648
Job Losses	14,191
Net New Jobs	15,457

Job losses arise from a combination of factors, including the inability of some firms to compete with low cost competitors, market downturn, rationalisation, restructuring, automation and financial difficulties. Over the past five years the numbers of jobs lost annually has reduced from a figure of 18,383 in 1993 to just over 14,000 in 1997. This reflects favourable economic conditions domestically and internationally, and is also due to measures taken by the Government, the social partners, the industrial development agencies and the private sector to reduce costs and improve competitiveness.