When will the rise stop?

5 Nov 2008

Today the CSO issued the latest Live Register and the seasonally adjusted figure is up a frightening 57% or 94,800 on October 2007. This time last year the Live Register was 165,700, today it is 260,300. Given the current economic situation which is exacerbated by an unhealthy international one, when will the rise stop?

The Live Register figures are not the only ones regrettably breaking records this week. On Monday the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment issued the latest redundancy figures which were up 50% on this time last year to an all time high of 32,076 or 729 per week. October 2008 was 114% higher than October 2007 and is the single biggest monthly increase at 4,644.

"The INOU was disappointed with the lack of any new initiatives in Budget 2009 to address the dramatically rising unemployment problem," noted Bríd O'Brien, Head of Policy and Media with the INOU. "The current labour market policy of pursuing jobs in the knowledge based economy will not meet the employment needs of a significant section of our labour force", Bríd continued.

In the current climate the State must lead and invest in Ireland's future. If this does not happen in a more integrated and innovated way, Ireland will not be well positioned to take advantage of any improvements in the international economy.

 

For further information contact:
Bríd O'Brien, INOU Head of Policy and Media: (01) 8560088 / 086 608 9641