Pearse Doherty
Question:82. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation his views on the fall in labour force by 95,000 in the age group 20-34 over the past two years. [41597/12]
View answerTuesday, 2 October 2012
Questions (82)
Written answers
The Quarterly National Household Survey report published on 19th September records the total number of persons in the labour force in the second quarter of 2012 as 2,096,400. This represents a decrease of 29,500 (-1.4%) over the year and compares with an annual labour force decrease of 26,800 (-1.2%) in the year to Q2 2011.
The National Skills Bulletin published by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) on 25 July 2012 observes that the trend of a shrinking labour force has continued, albeit at a slower pace since 2010. The labour force declined by 0.6% and it was estimated that there were 25,500 fewer persons either at work or seeking work during 2011 when compared to 2010.
According to the Quarterly National Household Survey report there were 752,500 persons aged 20-34 in the labour force in Q2 2012, while in Q2 2010 it was 837,400. Based on this data, the difference in the levels of labour force participation is accordingly 84,900 rather than the figure of 95,000 mentioned by the Deputy.
Looking specifically at the period between 2010 and 2011, the National Skills Bulletin commented on the marked deterioration in the labour market indicators for the younger age cohorts as follows:
- the younger age groups were relatively more affected by outward migration, with those aged 20-34 being particularly adversely affected
- despite the growth in the overall population, it is estimated that the number of persons aged 20-34 declined by almost 44,000
- the number of 20-34-year-olds participating in the labour force declined by approximately 40,000
- the number of unemployed persons aged 20-24 declined, the only age cohort for which a decline occurred
- the decline in the labour force participation rate was the sharpest for those aged 20-24.
The Government is tackling unemployment and the stabilisation of the employment rate through the twin strategies of the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work, which are together complemented by measures to ensure individuals are appropriately educated and trained to be able to avail of those job opportunities.