Unemployment rate now at 9.7% and firm plan in place for regional jobs growth – Corcoran Kennedy

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has said that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June of 9.7% is very encouraging and that the trend of decreasing unemployment should continue with the new Midlands Action Plan for Jobs.

“Nationally, the unemployment rate now stands at 9.7%. The Irish people have travelled a long and difficult road since the Live Register stood at 15.2%. There is still more work to be done and this work will now focus on creating jobs and opportunities in regional areas.

“The Midlands Regional Action Plan for Jobs was launched on Monday 29^th June by An Taoiseach Endda Kenny and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton in Tullamore. This plan aims to deliver 10-15% employment growth in counties Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath over the coming years. This would represent between 11,400 and 17,100 additional jobs in the region by 2020.

“Included in the plan is the target to:

·          Establish a Midlands Manufacturing Technologies Campus

·          Create new cycling and walking trails along the waterways

·          Establishing a Skills Forum to connect education providers with employers

·          Create a Regional Energy Hub for the Midlands

·          Promotion 25% more start-ups through extra funding, mentoring programmes and establishing new incubator spaces for entrepreneurs like The Junction in Tullamore

·          Attract 25 additional multinational investment projects by 2019

“These are challenging but achievable goals, but with the economy strong, the national unemployment rate steadily falling and a firm plan now in place, I am confident that more employment opportunities will become available in the midlands.

“I believe that rural Ireland has a lot to offer, there is huge potential there to be utilised so with the support of local communities and organisations, I believe that this plan will be a success.”