The agri-food and marine sector, Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, has already played a major role in bringing our economy out of recession and reversing the upward trend in unemployment.  Welcoming the 2015 Action Plan for Jobs, Minister Coveney pointed out “that the agri-food sector, which had a strong export focus, was pivotal to progressing the current economic recovery.  Industry employment surveys demonstrate that employment growth of around 4,000 has occurred since Food Harvest 2020 was published,  reversing the previous decade’s net job losses of 1,500”

A clear policy vision, appropriate Government support and investment, and the commitment and determination of stakeholders have enabled us succeed and have provided the strong framework for our work to further develop the agri food sector in 2015. “My aims for 2015 are to provide a policy and regulatory framework that encourages increased employment,  by building on the success achieved to date on exports, industry investment, research and development and innovation, , as well as making sure that the new Rural Development Programme and new strategic policy formulation  are directed at maximising the contribution of this sector to economic growth and job creation.”

Bord Bia in its recent Performance and Prospects report estimates that our food and beverage exports in 2014 reached €10.45 billion, bringing growth since 2009 to 45%. This Government is actively working with industry leaders to ensure that this growth continues. 

The strategic capital and capability investments already underway and planned in  areas such as dairy, whiskey and processed foods, are a clear indication of high levels of confidence among operators in the sector . Investments up to €600 million are underway or in the pipeline and as part of the 2015 APJ Enterprise Ireland intends to support 28 significant food and drink industry investments, a number of which will be FDI projects.

Building the  profile of the Irish agri food sector on international markets and developing  trade opportunities will continue to be a priority, and I am currently considering  the schedule of Trade and Investment missions in 2015, with arrangements already made for a visit to the US,  and strategic markets in Africa and China also potentially on the agenda.

The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP), which is worth around €4 billion will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability  of the agri-food sector as well as ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. 

The Minister said that the agri-food sector has already demonstrated a capacity for growth and development, even in the most challenging times.  “It is clear to me that even more can be achieved if we focus our efforts on the extraordinary opportunities presented by growing global food demand.  So, I have initiated a new 2025 Agri-Food Strategy process and with the help of leading figures from the agri-food sector who have a deep knowledge and understanding of the sector, I will be presenting this report with a new strategic direction to Government in July.”

#allaboutjobs

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About Action Plan for Jobs

The Action Plan for Jobs is the Government’s plan to improve the conditions for creating new jobs. It is a whole-of-Government initiative under which all 16 Government Departments and 46 Agencies work together to support job creation and protection, and is a sister document to Pathways to Work.

The main strategic ambitions of the Action Plan for Jobs are:

• to support 100,000 additional jobs by 2016
• to achieve a top 5 competitiveness ranking
• to build world class clusters in key sectors of opportunity
• to build an indigenous engine of growth
• to develop Ireland as the best small country in which to do business

Since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs process in 2012, almost one thousand actions have been delivered.  To find out more about Action Plan for Jobs and each year’s plan, see:  http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/allaboutjobs/Government-Programmes/Action_Plan_for_Jobs/

Action Plan for Jobs 2015

Action Plan for Jobs 2015 is the next step in the multi-annual process aimed at delivering full employment by 2018.

The Plan is the fourth annual plan in a multi-year process which started in early 2012, and sets out in detail the more than 300 actions to be taken by 16 Government Departments and dozens of State Agencies during 2015 to support job-creation, with deadlines and lead responsibility assigned. Building on the success of previous plans, the 2015 plan includes new Disruptive Reforms.

Action Plan for Jobs 2015 is available to download here:  http://www.djei.ie/enterprise/apj.htm

OECD review of Action Plan for Jobs process

Among the conclusions of the OECD review of the APJ in May 2014 were:

“…Ireland’s Action Plan for Jobs (APJ) marks an important innovation in Irish governance…”

“Ireland is well on track to achieve the interim APJ target of 100,000 new jobs by 2016, while the longer-term aim of having 2.1 million employed people by 2020 also looks firmly within grasp.”

“The APJ’s most striking innovation in the Irish public policy context is a coordination mechanism that ensures high-level political buy-in and oversight, whole-of-government engagement and the establishment of quarterly targets underpinned by a robust monitoring system. These are important steps towards addressing long-standing gaps that undermine successful policy implementation.”

“The APJ’s focus on private sector-led, export-oriented job creation by getting framework conditions right and continually upgrading the business environment is a sound approach…”

View Press Release as a PDF:  DAFMPR 12/2015 (pdf 812Kb) 

Date Released: 29 January 2015