Action Plan For Jobs Published

Clonmel Chamber has today (13/02/12) welcomed the publication of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012 which aims to facilitate the creation of 100,000 jobs over the next four years while noting that implementation of promised reforms will be key to its success.

Brian Cleary, Clonmel Chamber Chief Executive said, “while we welcome this roadmap for job creation, the measures outlined must be implemented without any unnecessary delays if there is to be any real benefits. In particular, each measure must be made the responsibility of individual units within relevant Government Departments so that there is accountability for their delivery.”

“Among the actions earmarked for delivery in 2012, Minister Bruton must accelerate the roll out of the partial enterprise loan guarantee scheme as soon as possible – there has been much discussion of the scheme to date and now is the time to make the scheme available. This, combined with the reclassification of County City Enterprise Boards as Local Enterprise Offices, will have the potential to help small businesses grow and create jobs also.”

“In particular, we welcome the wide range of measures designed to provide much needed support for SMEs. We need rapid delivery of these proposals, especially regarding:

• Promised labour market reforms in particular as they impact on Sunday Trading costs for our hard pressed domestic retail and hospitality sectors, and
• The plan to accelerate the national revaluation as a means of containing the burden of commercial rates on businesses. 

“Ultimately what is needed is a steadfast focus on implementation across all arms of Government that will deliver conditions conducive to employment, sustainability and new job creation,” Cleary concluded.

Read the action plan for jobs: Action Plan For Jobs 2012