Government economic policies and investment in job creation will help to speed up Ireland's recovery from the recession, the country's enterprise, trade and innovation minister has asserted.

According to Batt O'Keeffe, the nation will bounce back from the recession, assisted by "brave" decisions by the government.

He explained that he recently approved staffing resources for IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, agencies which are both concerned with generating employment and boosting the Irish economy.

Mr O'Keeffe stated that IDA Ireland has set a target to generate 98,000 new jobs during the next six years through foreign direct investment, while Enterprise Ireland is aiming to create 63,000 direct positions.

"Our training programmes and extra places in further and higher education are re-skilling our workforce to take up new jobs in growth areas of the economy," he noted.

The minister recently announced the allocation of €37 million for a series of industry-led research centers as part of a six-year plan to provide "smart" jobs.

Posted by Sarah Dixon