Latest cso figures show continued drop in unemployment

MONTHLY labour market figures published today (August 5) by the Central Statistics Office show that the number of people unemployed in July was 208,900 - a decrease of 32,400 compared to July 2014. The unemployment rate stands at 9.7%, down from a crisis peak of 15.1%.

Reacting to the news, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, said the continuing fall in unemployment shows the success of the government’s efforts to create jobs and help people back into work.

However, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on jobs, Deputy Dara Calleary, said the latest CSO findings point to possible stagnation in unemployment figures and he argued that youth unemployment figures are still unacceptably high.

The Tánaiste said: “The government’s strategy to restore jobs and help people back to work, through Pathways to Work and the Action Plan for Jobs, is getting results. We’re driving ahead as the fastest growing economy in the EU and, since the peak of the crisis, more than 110,000 additional people have returned to work, with unemployment having fallen by a third.

“The unemployment rate of 9.7% is down from 11.2% this time last year and from over 15% at the peak of the crisis. We are well on the way to achieving full employment by 2018.”

However, Deputy Calleary said a closer look at the data reveals a few 'worrying trends'. He explained: “The unemployment rate for the under 25s is at roughly the same level as the EU 28 monthly average. If it were not for outward migration in recent years, youth unemployment would be much higher.

“Alarmingly though, the brain drain has not been addressed at all by this government. In fact, the introduction of initiatives like JobBridge combined with the reduction in jobseeker's allowance have only served to alienate younger people, leaving them with no choice but to look for work abroad.”

On the fact that the number of women registered as unemployed rose by 500 between June and July, Deputy Calleary said: “This government’s failure to deal with important issues like childcare costs while simultaneously cutting vital supports for single parents is forcing mothers out of the workplace and into the social welfare system.

“This government is very quick to roll out the red carpet and welcome large multinational job announcements in high tech sectors. More attention needs to be paid to indigenous small and medium companies, which are the backbone of this economy, and where a regional spread can be developed. 

“Today’s unemployment figures are a sobering wake-up call for the government. More action and less spin is needed for the 208,900 people who remain on the margins, desperately looking to get on the employment ladder.”