Unemployment figures – true reflection?

11 Nov 2003

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed welcomes the latest Live Register figures that show another decrease in the numbers claiming an unemployment payment. This is the third consecutive monthly decrease bringing the total unadjusted October 2003 figure to 166,552 and the seasonally adjusted figure to 172,600. The unemployment rate now stands at 4.4%.

‘Although this reduction is welcomed, we would agree with the CSO who have consistently stated that the Live Register is not a measure of unemployment as we feel that these figures do not accurately portray the extent of unemployment currently in Ireland,’ said Mr Eric Conroy, General Secretary INOU.

Both the Live Register and the Quarterly National Household Survey measures unemployment differently and currently both calculate the unemployment rate as being 4.4%. This compares with the recent analysis of the Census 2002, which reveals an unemployment rate of 8.8%. This is calculated by respondents self defining their economic status (Personal Economic Status). Interestingly the Census also identified 88 unemployment blackspots both urban and rural areas throughout the country whose average unemployment rate was 24%, with Knocknalower Co. Mayo having the highest rate of 40.1%.

‘Both commentators on unemployment levels and policy makers should be cognisant of the different measurements of unemployment to ensure that supports and services are adequately resourced to meet the needs of the size of the target group’, he added. ‘Also, additional supports are needed to target those identified unemployment blackspots.’