Vol. 576 No. 5
73 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to her Department during 2000, 2001, 2002 and to date in 2003; the steps being taken to deal with the sharp increase in redundancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29911/03]
The number of redundancies notified to my Department in the years mentioned were 13,316 in 2000; 19,977 in 2001; 25,358 in 2002 and 24,844, January-November 2003. The level of redundancies reflects slower economic activity in Ireland in line with difficult economic conditions worldwide.
Given the open nature of the Irish economy, the Government's focus on maintaining competitiveness is critical to sustaining and developing the manufacturing and international traded services sectors. A wide range of programmes is being implemented by the Government and the State development agencies which are designed to support industry and develop exports.
The enterprise strategy group, which I recently established, has been given the task of developing strategic policy recommendations for enterprise in Ireland for the period up to 2010.
