Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he remains satisfied that job opportunities are being restored as soon as possible to pre-pandemic levels; the actions already in hand in this regard or contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52830/21]
View answerThe Labour Force Survey, published by the Central Statistics Office on a quarterly basis, is the official source of labour market statistics for Ireland. It includes the official rates of employment which are based on International Labour Organisation (ILO) standardised concepts and definitions.
The latest edition of the Labour Force Survey - issued on 24th September of this year - covered employment levels on an ILO basis for the second quarter of 2021.
On an ILO basis, the survey reported that some 2.352 million people were in employment on a seasonally adjusted basis during the second quarter of 2021. Employment increased by 212,200 over the preceding twelve months, and by 102,600, or 4.6 percent, in the second quarter of 2021 alone.
This came at a time when public health restrictions had started to ease and Ireland’s vaccination programme was rolled out. This highlights the importance of the Government’s efforts to help workers and businesses throughout the past 18 months, especially the wage supports which helped businesses maintain the link to their staff.
There is reason to believe that this strong employment growth has continued in the third quarter of this year, as public health restrictions have eased further. According to the latest monthly Covid-adjusted unemployment rate, for September 2021, unemployment stood at 10 percent, down from 12.4 percent in August. This still high, but it is hoped that the further reopening of the economy will help to reduce this further. The standard measure of monthly unemployment stood at 6.4 percent in September.
The Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, which was launched in June, aims to build upon the recent momentum in job creation. The Plan has an overarching ambition to have 2.5 million people in work by 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
It aims to deliver on this objective through its four pillars: ensuring are public finances are sustainable for a lasting recovery; helping people back into work, by extending labour market supports and through intense activation and reskilling and upskilling opportunities, driven by Pathways to Work 2021-2025 ; rebuilding sustainable enterprises through targeted supports and policies to make enterprises more resilient and productive; and ensuring a balanced and inclusive recovery, through strategic investment in infrastructure and reforms that enhance our long-term capacity for growth, balanced regional development and by improving living standards.
Many of the jobs to be created in the coming years will be in new areas of opportunity, rooted in a greener and more digital economy. In moving towards the goal of having 2.5 million people in work by 2024, the focus will be on recovering differently, with more productive, innovative, resilient and importantly more secure and valued jobs.
