New jobs  welcomed but 33,400 lost in last year

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD  has welcomed  the jobs expansion last week by Kerrygold and Paddy Power and said it was a welcome news. Crowe said that 200,000 Irish people have emigrated abroad over the last three years looking for work as the prospects at home get worse.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Last week Kerrygold announced 800 jobs with a further 400 in construction and Paddy Power announced a further 800 jobs.

“These jobs are to be welcomed and demonstrate the potential for Irish enterprise.

“Unfortunately these new jobs coincide with the closures of Olhausen plants with the loss of 160 jobs. The particular jobs at these plants can be directly linked to the collapse in the domestic market and the reduction of consumer spending power.

“Last year the Taoiseach told us that the Action Plan for Jobs would create 100,000 additional jobs by 2016. His particular jobs plan is a dud and is clearly not working.

“Over the past year 33,400 net jobs have been lost to the economy and 87,000 people have emigrated. That brings to 200,000 people over the last three years leaving our shores looking for work.

“Kerrygold and Paddy Power are a glimmer of hope and demonstrate what Irish business can achieve in the face of adverse economic conditions and policies.

“We believe that more can be achieved by policies that will put job creation to the fore, that build economic growth and the support Irish enterprise.

“We believe that the potential exists in Ireland for many more vibrant companies like Paddy Power and Kerrygold. We believe that with the right policies, good products such as Olhausen could and should be supported.

“We need  to build on the strength of Irish enterprise and demonstrate that with the political will and using monies available in the pulic and private sector  we can deliver a stimulus package that can deliver tens of thousands of additional jobs over the next few years.”