Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2015
79. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the geographical spread of new employment as reported in the Nevin Economic Research Institute quarterly report for spring 2015; the steps he is taking to ensure geographically balanced employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12324/15]
View answerThe Nevin Institute's Spring Report notes that 29,100 jobs were created in the economy between the end of 2013 and the end of 2014. The report also acknowledges that a further 61,000 jobs were created between Quarter 4 2012 and Quarter 4 2013, giving a total of 90,000 jobs created over the two-year period in question.
To get an accurate picture of employment trends at a regional level, an analysis of labour market data is necessary over a period greater than one year. An analysis of labour market data from the CSO shows that every region in the country has experienced jobs growth since 2012. More than 50% of the jobs created were outside of the Dublin and Mid-East regions.
The South-East showed the fastest growth rate in employment in this period, with a 12.5% increase in jobs between Quarter 4 2012 and Quarter 4 2014. This region accounted for 25% of all net jobs created nationally in 2014. The Unemployment Rate in the South-East has fallen from 20.1% at the start of 2012, when the Action Plan for Jobs process commenced, to 11.9% at the end of 2014. Other regions have also performed strongly in terms of jobs creation. Based on these actual figures and a reasonable and fair review of the data published by the CSO the Nevin Institute's presentation of regional employment data in their recent Spring Report was, at best, highly misleading.
However, the Government recognises that some regions are growing faster than others. That is why we are putting in place regional Action Plans for Jobs to accelerate employment in every region in the country. The purpose of these Plans is to facilitate each region to achieve its economic potential, building on its existing strengths and opportunities.
It is my intention to publish six regional Action Plans for Jobs by July, with a further two in development at that stage.
