Vol. 502 No. 4
65 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to resolve the high unemployment figures for County Mayo; her view on whether the figure of 8,611 on the live register in the urban areas of Mayo is too high; and the steps, if any, which will be taken to resolve this issue. [7635/99]
The figure of 8,611 unemployed represents the January 1999 figure from the CSO live register area analysis for County Mayo. This figure is still much too high, but the trend is downwards and the total figure has been reducing for some years now. In 1996 the total live register figure for Mayo stood at 10,001. Since then there has been, in line with the national trend, a steady and continuous fall in the numbers of those signing on. I hope to see this trend maintained and Government policy is focused and concentrated to ensure that this occurs.
There are a wide range of State services and initiatives in place in Mayo to ensure the maximisation of job creation potential and to assist those not already in the active labour market to find gainful employment. Both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are actively promoting increased job formation and inward investment, as is the Mayo County Enterprise Board in the context of small enterprises. The services of FÁS and the Mayo local employment service are also widely available to help in the general areas of job placement and assistance to the unemployed.
I think the Deputy will agree that there is considerable activity and commitment from the Government and all the agencies involved to the general development of County Mayo and to addressing the ongoing problem of unemployment there. I accept that much remains to be done but prospects for the future are good, and I have no doubt that recent trends in the fall in numbers of those out of work will continue.
