Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
93. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action he is taking to increase jobs in the manufacturing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11465/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Forfás Strategy for the Manufacturing Sector, which I commissioned, identified that an additional 20,000 jobs can be created in the sector by 2016. A complementary report was also published in relation to skills needs by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and Forfás.
Arising from the Strategy and the Skills Report, there are now a range of initiatives in hand by my Department and relevant Agencies to drive the 2016 target, with key actions from both reports having been incorporated into the Action Plan for Jobs. The Manufacturing Development Forum is helping to address the key issues arising from the Strategy recommendations which include delivering a National Step Change initiative to strengthen Ireland’s manufacturing base across all firms, redressing perceptions of the sector as a career choice and removing barriers to the competitiveness of the sector in Ireland.
In relation to employment in the manufacturing sector, full year statistics for 2013 are not yet available but the latest Central Statistics data shows that, in the 12 months up to end-September 2013, an additional 7,900 workers were employed in that sector, bringing the total to 213,600. When account is taken of indirect jobs, the sector now supports over 427,000 employees.
In the recently launched Action Plan for Jobs 2014, there are a number of specific actions that will support the manufacturing sector in Ireland. These actions will help facilitate the growth and development of the sector, and include:
- Supporting 130 indigenous companies with an initiative to improve their productivity as part of the National Step Change for Manufacturing;
- Delivering a transformation programme across 70 foreign-owned manufacturing and services companies in Ireland to achieve technology uplift, skills enhancement, energy improvements and investment in new facilities and equipment, and
- Supporting the adoption of LEAN manufacturing and other productivity enhancing measures across a wide range of enterprises, including relevant micro-enterprises.
I am confident that these specific actions will contribute to the development of the manufacturing sector in Ireland and that the resulting productivity growth and improved competitiveness will lead to the creation of more jobs in the sector.
