25% increase in unemployment since 2001

2 May 2003

The latest Live Register figures released today show yet another increase in the number of people claiming an unemployment payment. The seasonally adjusted figures show a monthly increase of 3,600 between March 2003 and April 2003. This steady increase highlights that unemployment has increased by 25% between April 2001 and 2003.

There is also a very noticeable gender breakdown, with the monthly increase of 3,600 comprised an increase of 3,200 females and 400 males. This gender breakdown is particularly stark in women aged over 25 years.

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) is very concerned by the lack of action taken by the Government to stem this continual increase in unemployment. There is too much reliance on attracting foreign investment and too few supports to encourage indigenous industries to set up or expand. The reduction in the budgets in 2003 for some job creation agencies such as Shannon Development and the IDA is proof of this policy.

‘Of course we welcome the increased investment and job opportunities in both Arklow and Waterford as announced this week. However, this comes alongside the closure of Celestica in Swords and the downscaling of Unifi Textured Yarns in Letterkenny with the loss of 250 jobs in both firms, said Mr Conroy, General Secretary, INOU. ‘Unfortunately, these recently announced job opportunities provide little comfort to the recently made redundant employees as the newly created jobs will not come on stream for another few months and they are in different locations and sectors. Therefore, it is vital to provide alternative employment opportunities to these employees to prevent them from drifting into long-term unemployment.’