Jobs created and target shortfall
O’Toole asked how many of the 42,000 jobs were actually filled and cited an 18,000-job shortfall against the 1977 target. Burke said the figure counted jobs provided, noted it was a record, and attributed the net shortfall to job losses in failed industries.
Will the Minister give us information in relation to the number of jobs on the ground. The question is asked about the number of jobs provided since 1977 and the Minister mentions the number of jobs created. Could he give us the number of people actually employed out of that 42,000 jobs created?
Comment on this
That is the number of jobs that were created on the ground. They are not just approvals. They are jobs that were provided.
Comment on this
My calculation would indicate that the target for 1977 was 60,000 jobs by now, so that there is a shortfall of 18,000. Is the Minister prepared to accept that?
Comment on this
I have just given the Deputy the number of jobs created which is an all time record of 42,000. Surely the Deputy must see and appreciate the progress that has been made. There have been job losses at the same time. We must realise that there are industries that have failed as well as industries that have started. There have been a number of industries and the net increase, because of the job losses, is 18,000 short of the original target.