Vol. 538 No. 4
10 Mr. Naughten asked the Taoiseach his views on whether the live register is an important labour force indicator; if he supports the continuing publication of the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/01]
The monthly live register figures show how many people are claiming unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit or signing for social welfare credits. At the end of May 2001, there were 133,691 persons on the live register.
The Central Statistics Office's live register releases contain a detailed breakdown at local level, including figures on the number of claimants by sex, age group and type of claim. As the results are normally published within a week, the live register is widely used as a short-term indicator of recent trends.
The live register does not measure unemployment on a basis that is comparable over time or between countries. It is an administrative figure which reflects people's benefit status as distinct from their labour force status. The live register includes many people who are not unemployed – for example, part-time workers who are entitled under the social welfare rules to sign on in respect of days when they do not have work.
The primary source of comparable statistics on unemployment is the quarterly national household survey. This survey, which began in 1997, provides detailed quarterly figures on employment and unemployment. It is carried out under EU Council Regulation 577/98 and meets the ILO guidelines for internationally comparable labour force statistics.
The CSO's labour market statistics liaison group, which has met on two occasions, has discussed the use and presentation of live register and quarterly national household survey statistics. The group will continue to advise the CSO on these matters and, in this regard, there are no plans to discontinue publication of the monthly live register.
Does the Minister of State not agree that the two sets of figures can lead to confusion as to who exactly is unemployed? The quarterly household survey gives a figure for those who are unable to get work, not even one day a week part-time, and the live register figures cover those people as well. For example, if someone works one day a fortnight they are not considered unemployed under the household survey but they are considered unemployed under the live register. We need to look at both sets of figures and try to resolve the differences there if we are to get an accurate level of unemployment and those who are available for full-time work.
To follow the constructive supplementary questions put by Deputy Naughten, is it not time to change the terminology "the live register" and describe it as it is, which is the num ber of people administratively claiming and receiving benefit? What we really need to measure is the number of people who are not working and would like to work, those who are seeking work as distinct from categories of people who are part-time workers. The Minister of State will be aware that there are approximately 187,000 part-time workers, some of whom would be included in these figures. The live register is a misleading figure in the sense that the word "live" conveys the impression that these are people actively seeking employment and who are currently unemployed when in fact that is not the case. I do not know if this matter has been discussed with the CSO and the relevant Government Department, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, but I think it is time, given the statistical remit, for a qualitative change.
Are there any moves to change the quarterly household survey with its database of some 39,000 – I think that is the figure given – into a monthly survey with a smaller base? Opinion polls have a sampling base of 1,000 to 1,500, and a monthly figure would give us a more accurate and a more frequent measure of unemployment in the real sense on a much smaller base for the same cost. Would the Minister of State not agree that a sampling based on 20,000 or 25,000 might give us a much more accurate figure and a locational figure of people looking for employment? Let the live register revert to what it is, simply an administrative description of those receiving benefit.
On the latter point, I can certainly raise it with the CSO but it has only started doing them quarterly in the past number of years. Whether they are geared to move to a monthly one I would not know but I will check it for the Deputy. I think the international trend is quarterly because it works the bumps out of it.
The phrase "live register" is a bit of a misnomer nowadays and we certainly should look at it. Perhaps it is something we should raise with the social partners in case there is some attachment to it. I have no difficulty in changing that title but there is more than my view to be taken into account.
