CSO QNHS data confirms on-going increase in unemployment

20 Aug 2008

Today's Quarterly National Household Survey issued by the Central Statistics Office confirms the on-going increase in unemployment. Seasonally adjusted, the rate now stands at 5.1% up from the 4.8% in the first quarter of the year.

"Whilst the increase in female employment is to be welcomed, the decline in male employment, by 14,600, clearly demonstrates the pressures that the construction and manufacturing sectors are experiencing", said John Stewart, INOU Co-ordinator. John added that "the statistics relate to the overall situation over a period up to the end of May and we know from the latest redundancy figures that a very significant number of people lost their jobs in June and July and this trend is likely to continue through August".

The INOU are calling on all relevant state agencies to maximise their efforts to continue to attract inward investment to replace the jobs that are being lost and to ensure that the necessary job seeking and other supports are available both to existing unemployed people and those who are losing their jobs.

For further information contact:

John Stewart, INOU Co-ordinator, (01) 8560088 / 086 160 2222.