16 month fall in a row – Indication progress is being made on getting people back to work

Fine Gael Longford/Westmeath TD, James Bannon, has today welcomed the CSO figures that illustrate the standardised unemployment rate is down to 13.2% and the number of people on the Live Register is at its lowest level in three and a half years. The latest live register figures, which were issued by the Central Statistics Office, are an indication that the Government is making significant progress in job creation and getting the Irish people back to work.

“There are some who criticise the Government’s claim that the number of people on the live register is continuing to decrease.   Largely, the criticisms arise from recent emigration figures, and that people leaving the country has freed up jobs for others to take.   This is completely incorrect.   There are some 34,000 more people at work than there was at the same time last year, and these are in fact new jobs that have been created.   In regards to emigration, the most effective way to keep Irish people in Ireland is to focus on job creation at home.

“In order to continue this upward trajectory in the job market, the Government must continue to set ambitious goals to facilitate and accelerate the creation of jobs.   Within the 2014 Budget, there a number of pro-jobs measures, which are expected to aid in the creation of approximately 48,000 in the coming year.   With 3,000 new jobs being created each month, the rate of job growth has increased significantly in the past 12 months.   It’s worth remembering that just two and a half years ago, under a Fianna Fail led Government, 7,000 jobs were being lost every month.

“These most recent figures provided by the CSO are a confirmation of a positive trend in the labour market.   This is a clear sign that policies that have been implemented by the Government are taking hold.   This claim is supported by further evidence that for the last 16 months in a row, the number of people on the live register has fallen.   Now, it is up to the Government to continue on this path of growth by ensuring that every decision made has a positive impact on job creation.

“While there have been considerable improvements to our economic situation in regards to jobs, there still remains far too many people without work.   We must continue to build on the progress of the last two years. Currently, there is the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 which is now being finalised.   This will deliver a new suite of measures in order to aid small businesses, encourage entrepreneurial practices, and boosts exports.   I am confident that 2014 can be another strong fiscal year in Ireland, spurring more growth across all facets of the Irish economy.”