Number of people employed in South East Region hits 7 year high – Minister Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said the number of people employed in the South East Region has increased to a 7 year high according to latest figures released by the CSO.  There are now 207,400 people in work in the Region an increase of over 22,000 people since Fine Gael and Labour were elected to office in 2011.

“This increase in employment represents about 1 in 6 jobs created in the state over the course of the last 4.5 years.  The level of unemployment in Country now stands at 8.9% down from a peak of over 15% at the beginning of 2012.

“Before the last general election Fine Gael promised to create 100,000 jobs in the country in a 5 year period.  At that time this was an ambitious target; but we have not only met that target; but it has been exceeded and there have been over 140,000 jobs added in the country in the last 4.5 years.

“Fine Gael have committed that if we are re-elected to govern early next year, we will return Ireland to Full Employment by 2018 and abolish the Universal Social Charge by 2021.  Without a functioning economy we can’t pay for the services that we need; we are beginning to see for the first time in many years increased expenditure in health and education with the improving economy.

“Since the launch of the Action Plan for jobs The South East Region has recorded the fastest jobs growth figures in the entire country and employment has grown by 14.4% or by just over 26,000 people.

“I want to acknowledge the role of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland supported companies, SMEs and the Farming Community over the last number of years that have assisted greatly with our economic recovery.  There are indicators now in Retail and Construction that these sectors are beginning to recover as well; these two sectors were probably the worst affected as result of the recession, so it positive to see them starting to bounce back.

“There is still some way to go and that’s why stability and growth is so important; if we has listened to the populist policies of the opposition there would have been no recovery; and their policies will put the recovery at risk if they are ever implemented.

“We need to have parties that are pro-business and pro-enterprise that will deliver job friendly policies.  Fine Gael are committed to this and we have the plans, policies and people to continue with our economic recovery and ensure that everyone who wants to work, will have a job or the prospect of a job by 2018.

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