Cowen predicts jobs boom
Up to 500,000 jobs could be created in the knowledge economy over the next decade, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen said today.
The TD said continuing employment trends and Government investment of €4m should lead to the extra posts.
The jobs drive will also be supported by measures in December’s Budget and the forthcoming National Development Plan.
Addressing TDs and Senators at Fianna Fáil’s autumn parliamentary party meeting in Westport, Mr Cowen also called for more investment in science, technology and innovation.
He said: “A detailed analysis of future employment trends shows that roughly 500,000 jobs could come from the knowledge economy in the next decade if we step up activity in this area.”
Unprecedented Government investment of €4bn was needed to boost the potential of the knowledge economy, he remarked.
“If we want to have full employment and good-paying jobs then we can’t sit back and expect the jobs to be there.
“I strongly support investing in this area and I intend reflecting this in the new National Development Plan and Budget,” he added.
