Written Answers. - Job Losses.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
76
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the number of job losses recorded in the past 12 months; the number of replacement jobs created; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[25263/02]
In the 12 month period from 1 December 2001 to 30 November 2002 a total of 25,008 proposed redundancies were notified to my Department under the Redundancy Acts, 1967 to 1991.
With regard to job creation by the industrial development agencies for the current year, the information requested by the Deputy is not yet available. The agencies are currently surveying their client companies, and Forfás will compile the results which should be available in January 2003. This survey gives details of all jobs created and lost in companies assisted by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development, and Údarás na Gaeltachta allowing a comparison between job levels at end October 2002 with the position in October 2001.
The 2001 employment survey showed that total permanent full-time employment in companies under the remit of the industrial development agencies amounted to 315,500 in 2001, a decline of 3,500 over the 2000 figure. While 30,000 jobs were created in 2001, these gains were offset by job losses of 33,500 during the same period. This small decline should however be viewed in the context of an increase in agency employment from 249,000 to 315,500 over the five years up to 2001. This represents an increase of some 66,500, or 27%.
The agencies are determined that this progress will be maintained. IDA Ireland's promotion of Ireland as an investment location continues, focusing on the high-technology business sectors which have provided success in the past decade and which remain the cornerstones of the agency's development policies. IDA points out that, despite the worst downturn in the history of the ICT sector, it is estimated that the five leading ICT companies in Ireland employ some 3,000 more people than they did three years ago. With regard to indigenous industry, Enterprise Ireland is working in partnership with its existing base of client companies to build sustainable competitive advantage, and is focusing on developing new high potential start-up ventures.
