Vol. 511 No. 1
157 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of people signing on and available for work; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties employers are experiencing in getting employees right across a broad spectrum of employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23776/99]
The latest number of persons who are on the live register was published by the CSO at the end of October. This showed that there were 177,945 persons on the live register at that time.
The live register is not, as the CSO states, designed to measure the level of unemployment in that it includes, for example, part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers who are entitled to an unemployment payment. Unemployment is measured by the quarterly national household survey and the latest figure for March-May 1999 is 96,900 unemployed. The CSO estimate that the standardised unemployment rate is 5.2% which is the lowest rate since the current method of measurement was introduced.
I am well aware that there is considerable tightness in many sectors of the labour market and my Department is actively involved, in co-operation, where appropriate, with FÁS, in helping to direct people to available opportunities. With the introduction of the employment action plan in September 1998, the level of co-ordination between my Department and FÁS, which has primary responsibility for job placement, has been considerably enhanced. Furthermore, my Department, through its locally based jobs facilitators has taken a considerable number of initiatives aimed at matching employers and job-seekers.
Despite the fall in unemployment in recent years, there are still significant numbers of unemployed people who have yet to benefit from the growth in employment. More than one third of those in receipt of unemployment assistance have been unemployed for three years or more. While a wide range of supports is available, it remains to be seen if the very considerable disadvantages facing those people can be fully met by the current range and level of services provided by State agencies.
