The government says it delivered on 92% of the measures promised in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012.

That means 249 of 270 measures aimed at creating 100,000 jobs by 2016 were implemented by the coalition.

It says employment growth is now beginning in the private sector with a net increase of 12,000 jobs last year.

Among the measures not delivered were reforms in the retail sector, getting half of foreign direction investments outside Dublin and Cork, and opening up the bus market to competition.

'Country on the right track'

It also points out that the growth of almost 12,000 jobs in the private sector last year compares to 250,000 job losses in the private sector over the past 3 years.

As well as reporting on delivery of measures under the Action Plan, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton also outlined signs of progress in the labour market which include:

• Net growth of almost 12,000 in private sector employment in the past year. In the three years to March 2011 a net 250,000 jobs were lost in the private sector
• Net growth of more than 15,000 in the exporting sectors since the start of 2011. In the three years 2008-2010 a net 45,000 jobs were lost in these sectors

The Taoiseach said while there is still much to do, the country is on the right track to recovery.

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