EMPLOYMENT CREATED by State enterprises has fallen by 45,000 jobs over the past four years, according to Fine Gael enterprise spokesman Richard Bruton.

He asked the Minister for Enterprise if his prediction for 90,000 new jobs, which included 20,000 jobs over the next two years, had changed because of the EU’s downgrading of the Government’s growth forecast.

Batt O’Keeffe said that for the first time an integrated plan had been put together, with all departments and agencies challenged to come up with realistic and deliverable proposals.

He had indicated to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland that the Government was prepared to put the necessary funding in place that would allow them to achieve the targets they had set.

“These targets are challenging, but the agencies are convinced that with the pipeline available to them, they can attain those targets.

“The great advantage of foreign direct investment and the indigenous sector is that for each job created, another spin-off job will also be created.” Mr O’Keeffe said he was happy with the predictions for economic growth, although there were divergences between them.

The ESRI had forecast a higher growth rate than the Department of Finance.

It was estimated, Mr O’Keeffe added, that the tourism sector would provide 80,000 jobs, while IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland were determined to create 150,000 jobs.

Mr Bruton said the record stood – the IDA had created 150,000 jobs, but had lost even more. The Minister had not referred to that when he launched the national recovery plan.

“He is trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes when the stakes are far too serious for this country,’’ said Mr Bruton.

“I believe the IDA and other agencies can achieve high goals if the proper policy instruments are used,” Mr Bruton added, “and if the Minister responsible does not stick his head in the sand when it comes to admitting jobs were also lost.”