Ministers Not Losing Any Sleep on Job Creation

Local Public Representative Seán Crowe TD  described remarks attributed to  the Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the foreward  to their  Action  Plan for Jobs   “that it is the all-consuming obsession of every Cabinet Minister and that there will be no rest until we create opportunities for everyone who wants to work”  as delusional or at best wishful thinking. The Plan suggests that it will create 100,000 jobs but figures released this week show an underspend of 17%.    Crowe whose Dublin South West  constituency has some of the highest rates of unemployment in the State said it was evident that very few if any Govenment Minister were losing sleep when it came to jobs and their creation.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The Governments supposed obsession with creating jobs is delusional or at best wishful thinking.

“In the last year 33,400 jobs have been lost and 87,000 people have emigrated.Emigration figures are higher now than any time since the 1800s

“Government policy on jobs has been an epic failure and families across the Country are paying dearly.

“We need a significant stimulus package to create jobs. There is significant wealth in the state and we need to put it to work on behalf of the Irish people.

“New Department of Finance figures show an underspend in the Department of 17%. That is an under-spend of €16 million in job creation programmes and a underspend of €69 million in Capital spend at a time when skilled trades workers are faced with signing on the Dole or emigrating

“The billion euro given to bondholders this week would have also gone a long way to job creation in this State.

“Sinn Féin has consistently demonstrated that another way,a fairer and better way is possible and that funds can be sourced to invest in the real economy and job creation.

“It is now clear that the Ministers must take responsibility for their underperforming Departments, wake up and take  more responsibility for getting our people back to work.

“What is clear from the jobless figures and regardless of the Taoiseach Enda Kennys assertion, Ministers are not losing and sleep when it comes to jobs and their creation.”