A COMPREHENSIVE job creation document has been formally launched in New Ross.

The 60-page document – ‘Investing in Ireland’s Future: Create Jobs, Create Growth’ –  was launched by Sinn Fein on Monday. According to the speakers at the event the scheme is aimed at getting 156,000 people back to work, retaining 15,000 jobs that are at risk, and stimulating the local economy over the next four years.

Many of those in attendance at the launch are unemployed and some admitted they are considering emigrating in the coming weeks and months.

Among those who spoke at the launch was Cllr. Anthony Kelly who said the plan was “fully costed” and “provides an alternative, socially responsible way to reduce the Budget deficit and create jobs”.

“Sinn Féin is proposing a €13bn investment in a job-creation and economic growth strategy over four years,” said Cllr. Kelly.

“This is our alternative to the failed policies of austerity favoured by Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail,” he added.

The Chairperson of local Sinn Féin, Oisin O’Connell, outlined how the plan could be financed: “We would use €5.8bn in discretionary funding from the National Pension Reserve Fund, €1.534bn from the European Investment Bank and €3bn incentivised investment from the private pension sector.”

Mr. O’Connell also said his party would not allow the move to cut €2.6bn from capital expenditure in Budget 2013 to go ahead.