The Jobs Minister Richard Bruton has become the latest to deny that the government has watered down its targets for job creation.
The latest Action Plan for Jobs sets a target of full employment by the year 2020.
But a year ago the government made the same announcement, with a target date of 2018.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted in December that getting to 6% - which he considers full employment - is harder than expected.
He said the revised target "is more realistic...it's important we set up that stall", he said.
"The difficulties and challenges we faced this year were a continuation of the great difficulties for the last number of years. But now it's moving on very strongly," he added.
In the Dáil this morning, Mr Bruton explained that the new target also included creating jobs for returning emigrants.
