Ulster Unionist Economy Spokesperson, Sandra Overend, has called on Invest NI to implement the recommendations of a report by the Public Accounts Committee to establish formal targets for job creation, sustainability, job quality and funds invested. This follows a review of Invest NI’s performance by the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
The Mid Ulster MLA said;
“I note with interest the findings of the Public Accounts Committee report that Invest NI job performance targets could be perceived as “soft”.
The Ulster Unionist Party had already submitted a motion for debate in the Assembly which states that ‘the lack of openness and transparency surrounding job creation targets and performance has been particularly unhelpful during the current economic climate’. In this motion we also call on the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to address the ambiguity in relation to the number of jobs actually created in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Unionist Party is particularly concerned at the continued use of the term “jobs promoted” which is entirely different to jobs that are actually created. For example, the current Programme for Government has no target for jobs actually created on the ground but rather cites the commitment to ‘promote’ 25,000 jobs. It is important that we have certainty in this area and formal targets for job creation are necessary.”