Fine Gael TD for Meath West and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education, Damien English, has said confirmation that money raised from the sale of State assets will go towards job creation is proof that the Government is continuing to successfully renegotiate the bailout deal with the Troika.
“The Government has been consistently pursuing its aim to use proceeds from the sale of State assets to invest in job creation and to stimulate the economy. The Troika was originally of the view that revenues should only go towards paying down debt. But the latest Memorandum of Understanding clearly states that the money can be used for job creation.
“This is a very positive step, and it once again flies in the face of claims from the Opposition that the Government has not improved the terms of the deal. This is the first time that the MoU has made any reference to funds from the sale of assets being reinvested in the economy.
“The Programme for Government commits to raising up to €2 billion through the sale of non-strategic State assets. It is hugely significant that a portion of this money will be used for job creation measures. There will be no fire sales; assets will only be put on the market when the time is right. The Cabinet is expected to consider proposals on asset sales in the coming weeks.
“This Government is completely focussed on addressing our huge jobs crisis. This week the Action Plan for Jobs has been launched, which will make it cheaper and easier to do business and create jobs. It will provide support to existing enterprises, improve the environment for potential start-ups and attract further foreign investment into Ireland.
“The next stage of the Government’s strategy on jobs will come with Pathways to Work, which will be launched shortly. It will help those who are unemployed to chart their way back to sustainable employment. These measures, together with the use of revenues from State asset sales, will enable the Government to realise its aim of creating 100,000 new jobs by 2016.”