Taoiseach Enda Kenny has defended the jobs programme announced by the Government yesterday, insisting he intends to implement in full all 270 proposals in the initiative.
During leaders’ questions in the Dáil this afternoon, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams claimed that some elements of the jobs programme “have been announced several times”. He said there was no new money for the initiative and no meaningful targets.
When Mr Adams asked how many people would be off the dole by certain dates, Mr Kenny described his question as “daft”.
He added: “That’s like saying how many seagulls flew over the Phoenix Park in the last three weeks.
“This is a daft question and you know it. What you need to do is create an atmosphere and opportunity where business can flourish.”
Independent TD Finian McGrath said he welcomed any plan to create jobs and “scoring points” would not help people find work. But he said the “elephant in the room” was the black economy.
Mr McGrath said the Revenue Commissioners and small businesses estimated the State was losing €5 billion a year in tax, because of “undercut rogue operators”.
He also urged the Taoiseach to be very careful about county enterprise boards because some of them had been very successful in job creation. He also asked if there was a role for the State and semi-state sector in creating jobs.
Mr Kenny, who agreed that austerity on its own would not work, said the jobs initiative included 270 proposals which he intended to implement and oversee “with all the Ministers of Government and 36 State agencies”.