Hopes rise for jobs turn

THE announcement last week that unemployment has fallen below 300,000 for the first time since 2010 has raised hopes that a corner has been turned on the jobs front.

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office’s Quarterly National Household Survey labour market estimates also reveal that over 2,000 jobs per month have been created in the private sector in the last year since the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs began.

The Fine Gael Senator for Dublin South West, Cáit Keane, welcomed the figures.

“The drop in unemployment numbers below 300,000 for the first time since 2010 is a significant and symbolic marker as this country works to rebuild its economy,

? she said.

“Under the previous Fianna Fáil led Government, 90,000 jobs a year were lost in the private sector.

“This Government has been given the task of getting this country back on its feet and these figures show that economic recovery is taking place.

“The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is a practical plan designed to get people back to work and it is working. Over 2,000 jobs per month have been created in the private sector since the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs began in February 2012.

“As a result, unemployment has fallen below 14 per cent to 13.7 per cent for the first time since August 2010. Significantly, long term unemployment has dropped from 9.5 per cent to 8.4 per cent.

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She added:

“Far too many people are still out of work and many people are still struggling. We still have a long way to go, but this announcement shows that we are rebuilding our economy.

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Deputy Eamonn Maloney described the announcement that the unemployment rate had dropped to 13.7 per cent as

“very good news.

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“Since entering Government just over two years ago, Labour’s number one priority has been to tackle the jobs crisis and get our people back to work,

? he said.

“More than a quarter of a million people lost their jobs between 2008 and 2011 under the last Fianna Fail Government. This high level of unemployment has had a devastating impact on families and communities across the country.

“There is clearly still a long road ahead. But the drop in the unemployment rate to under 14 per cent shows that progress is being made and the Government is creating the right environment in terms of new jobs and business creation.

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He added:

“I am conscious of the high level of unemployment in the Tallaght area and in particular, the high level of youth unemployment.

“I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that this Government redoubles their effort in tackling this serious problem.

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