The government has announced plans to create an additional 20,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector by 2016.
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn have published strategies under the action plan for jobs.
One of the main initiatives is a new start up fund run by Enterprise Ireland, though a spokesperson for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation could not put a figure on the fund saying it is "yet to be finalised".
Speaking at the announcement at a Company in Tallaght in West Dublin this morning, Minister Bruton said "Here in Prodieco we can see at first hand what is possible in this sector for companies who show willingness to change and pursue new opportunities for growth. I am determined to ensure that we implement change, support more companies to change and pursue new growth markets, and create the jobs we need.
Among the specific measures proposed are:
- A new Start-up Fund run by Enterprise Ireland specifically targeting supports for new manufacturing start-ups;
- Enterprise Ireland to introduce a new Capability Fund to support capital investment by manufacturing companies;
- EI and IDA to target additional financial supports for R&D investment specifically targeted at engineering firms;
- A new National Step Change Initiative available to all EI and IDA client companies that will systematically support manufacturing companies to
- Ø expand their client base through staff training and Peer Learning
- Ø improve their adoption of new technologies and embrace R&D
- Ø accelerate collaboration between companies in similar sectors to generate greater efficiencies in areas like global sourcing
- Proposals to maintain or reduce costs to manufacturing companies across areas like energy, waste, regulation, tax etc.
- Better targeting of training at skills shortages in the manufacturing sector through the implementation of the Manufacturing Skills study.
Ministers Bruton and Quinn made the announcement in Prodieco in Dublin.
