4,000 Net Jobs Created In Cork Since 2011

Fine Gael Cork North West Deputy, Áine Collins, has said recent figures from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, which show that in excess of 4,000 net jobs have been created by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA-supported companies since Fine Gael and Labour came to power, are proof that the Government’s jobs strategy is working.

"In the last two years, the number of jobs being created in Enterprise Ireland and IDA-supported companies has resulted in thousands of people getting back to work. Over the last 15 months we have seen an increase of 1,000 jobs per month being created in the private sector, with 2012 registering the first annual increase in employment in five years.

"Where Cork is concerned, the last two years have seen a steady increase in the number of permanent, full-time jobs being created by the two State agencies, halting the slide in the number of job losses being experienced in the preceding years.

"In 2011 in Cork, IDA Ireland recorded an increase of 1,990 jobs and 900 job losses. EI increased job numbers by 1,997, with 624 jobs being lost. Last year, the IDA increased jobs by 1,979 and lost 991 jobs, while EI recorded gains of 1,663 but lost 818 jobs in Cork. Overall, this means that a net increase of 4,296 jobs was secured by the two agencies in Cork since the Government came to office. This is in stark contrast to the previous years when a net 3,117 jobs were lost by EI alone in the county.

"The IDA has had two record years in 2011 and 2012, with a net increase of 12,500 employed in supported companies nationally. Enterprise Ireland also registered a record year last year, with a net increase of over 3,000 jobs in supported companies."

(CD/H)