Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2010
191 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of jobs his Department claimed will be created as part of published policy papers, reports and documents commissioned by or compiled by his Department between 2010 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20905/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, including programmes focussed on supporting people into education, training and employment, details of which are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
In relation to the Deputy's specific query regarding job creation targets included in published policy papers, reports and documents commissioned by or compiled by my Department, I refer the Deputy to the document Ireland CAP Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, which estimates that 12,500 new jobs will be created across the rural economy over the lifetime of that programme. This figure is also reflected in the Renewed Programme for Government 2009 and Building Ireland’s Smart Economy 2009.
For the sake of completeness, I would like to draw the attention of the Deputy to other programmes/measures operated by my Department which have significant employment creation/maintenance aspects, including:
the Community Services Programme, which provides jobs for vulnerable members of the community, as well as services to enhance community life and local economies, with a total of 2,700 persons currently employed under the programme;
the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), which provides additional income to over 2,600 low and medium income farmers and fisherpersons, as well as benefiting communities and helping to generate economic renewal at local level;
the Local and Community Development Programme, which specifically supports individuals into employment and self-employment through education, training, work experience and job placement in both urban and rural areas, with some 45,000 adults supported in 2009;
funding to Údarás na Gaeltachta to support economic development, growth and job creation in the Gaeltacht, with the creation of 500 new jobs targeted for 2010, as well as supporting 7,400 full-time equivalent jobs already in place; and
funding to the Western Development Commission, which provides risk capital for small and medium-sized enterprises, community enterprises and strategic projects in the western region, with 87 enterprises employing 1,300 staff supported to date.
I should also add that my Department believes that rural recreation and associated measures over the coming period will offer significant opportunities for attracting more visitors to Ireland's regions and thus for further job creation.
