Government aims to create 25,000 jobs by 2020
The Government has outlined the latest in its series of regional job plans, aiming to create an additional 25,000 jobs in the Mid East of the country over the next four years.
The Mid East Action Plan for Jobs aims to deliver up to 15pc employment growth over the period for Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
The plan is the seventh of eight regional action plans for jobs, which the government has set aside €250m for.
According to a statement from the Department of Jobs, during the years 2008-2011, “31,900 jobs were lost in the region”.
“Following several difficult years since the crash, employment in the Mid East has returned to growth, with 14,500 extra people at work in the region in the past two years.”
The plan launched today targets employment growth of 10-15pc. Jobs Minister Richard said it is realistic to target 25,000 additional jobs in the region by 2020.
The Department of Jobs said key sectors targeted as part of the plan will include “high tech-manufacturing, agri-food, tourism, renewable energy, the equine industry and the film/creative content industry”.
Minister Bruton said: “Proximity to Dublin is both a strength and a potential weakness in a unique way for the Mid East region. The region suffered badly during the crash, with 31,000 jobs lost and the construction sector particularly impacted.
“Over recent years thanks to the ingenuity of its workers and businesses it has begun to recover strongly, but we must do more. I am convinced that with the right support from Government through the Mid East Plan, we can keep the recovery going and create jobs in towns and villages right across Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
“In this way we can deliver 25,000 extra jobs over the coming years. This would be 25,000 extra pay packets coming into communities and 25,000 lives back on track – a goal well worth fighting for”.
