”

Tánaiste Joan Burton TD said: “The central focus of this Government has always been about jobs, and that focus is showing positive results. This week's figures, which show unemployment has fallen below nine per cent, represent a landmark moment for our recovery. But we have more to do to bring down unemployment further, to invest further in our workforce, and to ensure work pays. Through the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work we will continue our progress to full employment, and to a social recovery for all our people.”

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said: “Two thirds of all new jobs are created by start-ups—that is why we have placed at the very heart of the Action Plan for Jobs our drive to encourage more people to start up new businesses. One key aspect of this is the Ireland's Best Young Enterpreneur (IBYE) competition—in its second year running, this is a great initiative to celebrate our amazing young business-people and provide real tangible support to them as they expand their businesses and ultimately create 1, 2, 10, or 50 extra jobs.

IBYE is a great example of what we are trying achieve through the Action Plan for Jobs. On its own it will not solve our jobs crisis. However by placing it into the Plan, subject to reporting mechanisms and oversight from the Taoiseach, we can be sure it will be implemented. And taken together with thousands of other actions which we have implemented through the Plan over recent years, it will help rebuild an economy based on real enterprises, innovation and exports—and create the jobs we need.”

The Action Plan for Jobs 14th Progress Report is available at: www.djei.ie/Djei/en/Publications/APJ2015-Second-Progress-Report.html

The Action Plan for Jobs 15th Progress Report is available at: www.djei.ie/Djei/en/Publications/APJ2015-Third-Progress-Report.html