Worrying signs on Unemployment in latest QNHS

16 Feb 2006

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed is concerned at some negative movements in the latest Quarterly National household Survey (QNHS), for Qtr. 4 of 2005 (up to November).

The absolute number of the unemployed has increased by 5,700 in 12 months to 91,300, which results in an unemployment rate of 4.4% (up from 4.3% in the year). The number of people who describe themselves as unemployed has increased by 6,400 in the year to 118,400. The category S3, which is a better indicator of overall joblessness, by including discouraged workers and other economically inactive who would like work, has increased by 0.1% to 7.7% during 2005. Regional disparities in unemployment continue, with the BMW region unemployment rate increasing to 4.7% (from 4.4% in the last survey). In addition, youth unemployment at 8.7% is still twice the national average and long term unemployment is still stuck in a band that has not changed since 2002.

“While these individual increases are not big in themselves, taken together they are a worrying sign that unemployment could be on an upward curve if we are not vigilant,” said Eric Conroy, INOU General Secretary. “If cognisance is taken of the unsustainable growth in construction employment in the economy, and in related service sectors, we could experience worsening employment conditions in the period ahead” he added.

The INOU has clearly signalled that unemployment is still an important issue in Irish society and policies to tackle the various aspects of the problem will be a key part of the current negotiations to produce a new social partnership agreement in succession to Sustaining Progress.