We met 99% of jobs target last year: OFMDFM chiefs

SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood asked the Ministers why the Programme for Government 2011/15 target of promoting 1,175 jobs in 2012/13 was not achieved.

But the Ministers responded: “Recent analysis of data on jobs promoted/created in the city during 2012/13 by Ilex and departments has confirmed that this jobs promotion target was largely met at 1,170 jobs promoted.”

Mr Eastwood also asked the Ministers if the targets of promoting 1,670 jobs this year (2013/14) and 2,000 jobs in 2014/15 would be achieved.

The Ministers stated that they were committed to doing all they can across government “in this fragile economic climate to achieve these job targets.”

They added: “The jobs targets are part of the integrated approach to implementing the One Plan.

“The One Plan Inter-departmental Co-ordination Group will continue to work across government and other stakeholders to deliver jobs promotion in the city.

“The economic climate remains fragile but initiatives such as the City of Culture, Investment Conference, provision of business friendly infrastructure and others will contribute to jobs in the area.”

The Programme for Government also aimed for the completion of a development framework for Ebrington in 2012/13. And it was hoped outline planning permission for the site would have been secured by 2012/13.

The development framework is still in train and outline planning permission won’t be achieved until the New Year, and may not be in place until Summer 2014.