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Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has appointed leading industry and policy experts to a new jobs council that will drive the implementation of the Pathways to Work 2013 strategy to tackle unemployment.

The Labour Market Council, chaired by Mr Martin Murphy, MD of HP Ireland, met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Burton as it held its inaugural meeting in Government Buildings today.

Pathways to Work 2013,overseen by Minister Burton, is the Government’s 50-point action plan to tackle long-term unemployment.

The Council will advise the Minister on implementation of the Pathways strategy, monitor progress and put forward additional proposals to complement the reforms to labour market policy already  underway in the Department of Social Protection . The Council will publish an annual statement outlining its findings, and will also advise on wider labour market and employment policy.

The membership of the Labour Market Council is:

• Martin Murphy, MD Hewlett Packard Ireland – Chairman of the Council
• Tony Keohane, Chairman, Tesco Ireland
• Siobhan Talbot – Chief Executive, Glanbia
• Heather Reynolds – Chief Executive, Eishtec
• Frank Ryan – Chief Executive, Enterprise Ireland
• Alan Gray – Managing Director, Indecon International Economic Consultants
• John Martin -  Former Director of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD
• Philip O’Connell – Director, Geary Institute
• Marie Sherlock – Economic Adviser, SIPTU
• Tony O’Donohoe – Head of Education, Social and Policy, IBEC
• Bríd O’Brien – Head of Policy and Media, INOU

The Taoiseach said:

The establishment of the Labour Market Council will bring new experience and focus to the Government’s reform agenda. I look forward to the Council assisting the work of the Cabinet Committee on Pathways to Work in driving the implementation of the Pathways strategy. Together we can get Ireland working again.

Minister Burton said:

The skills of the Council members range from building businesses and creating thousands of jobs to developing innovative labour market policies and fighting for the best interests of jobseekers. Between them, the members have the perfect blend of skills to help drive implementation of the Pathways strategy and advise on what further actions can be taken across Government to increase employment.