Regional Disparities in Unemployment a Serious Concern

11 Mar 2005

The latest Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed Briefing Paper entitled ‘Urban and Rural Unemployment’ highlights the regional disparities of unemployment. It also discusses the additional barriers to employment faced by unemployed people living in areas of high disadvantage and the Government policies to address these.

Although Ireland has a low national unemployment rate at 4.3% or 85,600 people (using the ILO definition), there are many areas throughout the country that experience a much higher than average unemployment rate. The Census statistics revealed 88 unemployment blackspots scattered throughout the country where the unemployment rate is in excess of 24%. These ‘blackspots’ are located in both rural and urban areas. Interestingly all of Ireland’s main cities have areas that are regarded as unemployment blackspots despite the overall county recording an average unemployment rate. Dublin is no exception as revealed in the recently published Dublin City Council Development Board Report ‘Inclusion is Everyone’s Business’.

‘These areas of high deprivation and unemployment are frequently overlooked when looking at a national picture of employment growth and prosperity’, said June Tinsley, INOU Policy Officer. ‘These residents experience additional barriers to employment such as intergenerational poverty, low literacy levels, discrimination, lack of public transport etc. Government responses to these issues are insufficient mainly because they are too broad in focus. The ‘one size fits all’ approach is unsuitable. Targeted initiatives involving all local actors familiar with the environment is recommended, as it is more beneficial to both the unemployed people and the community.’

Copies of the Briefing Paper are available by contacting the INOU offices or downloading from our website www.inou.ie