144,000 people want to work

29 May 2001

Today's figures from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) show that 144,000 people who want to work do not have jobs. The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has said that while the overall national unemployment figure of 3.7% is to be warmly welcomed, Government must invest in the thousands of people who cannot current get work despite the continued job creation.

Tony Monks, General Secretary of the INOU said "Today's figures show us that over 140,000 want to work but cannot get into employment. For some this may be due to skills or literacy difficulties. For others it may be due to a lack of childcare. For many rural unemployed people the problem is a lack of access to transport. It is highly ironic that the slowdown in employment growth is being attributed to a tightening labour market, and yet a substantial number of people cannot get work.

"As average regional figures, the QNHS tells us nothing about the pockets of very high unemployment in both urban and rural communities throughout the country. The Government is well aware that many communities throughout the country are still suffering disproportionate levels of unemployment and disadvantage. Specific targeted investment in the communities that have not had their fair share of the current growth must be delivered.

" While we have seen a substantial decline in unemployment under the current Government, we have also seen a shocking increase in income inequality. The Government's spending prioirties for the last four budgets have been to penalise the poor and reward the rich. So while many more people are in work, the gap between those unemployed or in low income work and those who are already quiet well off continues to grow."

Today's figures do not take account of the job losses due to Foot and Mouth Disease as they are for the December 2000 to February 2001 period. Government began to record those affected by FMD in mid March.

ENDS

For further information contact:
Tony Monks, General Secretary
087 249 6066 / 01 856 0088
Noeleen Hartigan, Press Officer
087 61 67689 / 01 856 0088