Tag Archives: Minister Richard Bruton

Almost 121,500 Leaving and Junior Certificate students began their written exams across the country this morning (Wednesday). In Clare, in the region of 2,800 students are sitting exams. Education Minister Richard Bruton extended good wishes to students, reminding them that while these exams are important, “they were just one pathway in education”. “A range of opportunities now exists which will help students to fulfil their ambitions,” he said. Nearly 57,000 Leaving Cert students kicked off the exam with English Paper 1 this morning. Around 62,000 Junior Cert students faced the English and CSPE exam. It is the first exam under the new junior cycle English programme, where the paper accounts for 90% of the grade.

The latest official unemployment figures from the Central Statistics Office, show a continuing fall in the number of people unemployed. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton has welcomed the figured, published today (Tuesday) which show the unemployment rate at 8.9% in November 2015, and the total number of people unemployed at 191,700, down 32,100 on the same month a year ago. Minister Bruton said,“Our very top priority since we took office as a Government is creating jobs and reducing unemployment. Since we launched out Action Plan for Jobs in February 2012, more than 135,000 extra people are at work across the country. Every region is now growing jobs. Today’s figures confirm that this job-creation is continuing to have an impact on the number of people unemployed. “However the figures also show that there is no room for complacency. The closer we get to full employment, the more difficult it is to continue to ensure that the jobs …

IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan will visit Shannon on Thursday to address the  local chamber on the organisation’s strategy and plans for the region. Speaking in advance of the lunch  time event at Dromoland Castle, Shannon Chamber’s chief executive, Helen Downes said, “The business community in the Shannon area will be keen to hear how the IDA plans to position the region to attract investment, particularly with the new focus on regions announced recently by Minister Richard Bruton. “Regional development is about turning regional strengths into opportunity, identifying, building on and realising the potential offered by a particular place and its geography or location. It’s also about organisations pulling together to make things happen. Shannon Chamber and its members are ready to participate in this initiative. We already have a successful CEO Forum which is focussed on generating further growth in Shannon by building on strengths and resolving barriers to further investment.”