Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2004
81 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give the figures for the level of industrial employment at the latest date for which figures are available; the way in which this compares with the equivalent date in each of the previous five years; the steps that are being taken to counter the decline in industrial employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28371/04]
View answerThe number of persons engaged in industrial employment as recorded by the Central Statistics Office at June 2004 and for each of the previous five years is as follows:
|
Industrial Employment (June of each year) Source: CSO — Industrial Employment |
|
|
2004* |
243,700 |
|
2003 |
250,000 |
|
2002 |
256,500 |
|
2001 |
269,000 |
|
2000 |
268,800 |
|
1999 |
255,900 |
*Preliminary estimate for June 2004.
Industrial employment has not experienced the same, almost consistent expansion that we have seen in other sectors of the economy over the past five years. The reduction in industrial employment after 2001 had much to do with the well acknowledged global trading difficulties at that time. More recently more intensive international competition, which is a very real issue for many businesses, has affected manufacturers based here. Nevertheless, the most recent quarterly industrial employment figures for June shows an upturn in industrial employment on the previous quarter. Furthermore, the ESRI expects industrial employment to increase by 0.6% this year and by 1% in 2005. In light of the intense global competitive pressures on manufacturing these forecasts show that our economy maintains considerable strengths in this area.
The enterprise development agencies under my Department have a comprehensive range of supports to help firms become more competitive, expand in new markets and grow productivity. These are consistently assessed so that whatever new programmes or refinements to help enterprise achieve sustainable competitive advantage and expand employment are implemented.
Manufacturing is an intrinsic component of the economy and is likely to remain so, despite services output and employment becoming more important. Indeed, the strength and potential of this sector has been recognised by the enterprise strategy group. We have both the capacity and expertise to attract advanced manufacturing facilities to the economy and will continue to pursue opportunities in this sector.
While industrial employment has declined in the past few years we must view these losses against employment expansion in the broader economy. The latest quarterly national household survey — quarter 2, 2004 — shows that the total at work rose by 42,800 to more than 1.836 million in the year, while total employment has increased in each of the past five years. Some 247,100 more people or an extra 16.5% were at work in the March to May quarter this year, than in the corresponding period in 1999.
