Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 1

Written Answers. - ICTU Special Conference.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

38 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Labour if, in light of his public comments made after the ICTU Special Conference on 8 February 1990, he accepts that new employment strategies will be necessary before any new Programme for National Recovery can be negotiated, having regard to the depth of feeling about current levels of unemployment evident on both sides of the argument at the ICTU Special Conference; if any such new employment strategies are being contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

First of all, I think the record should be set straight. Sixty thousand jobs were created in the last two years. Even when job losses are taken into account, this is a very satisfactory performance when compared to net job losses of 76,000 in the period 1980-87. From 1980-87, unemployment rose by 146,000. In the last two years, there has been a substantial fall in unemployment to the present level of 221,100 seasonally adjusted from a figure of 250,500 in April 1987.

All the indications are that there will be even further improvements in the employment situation in 1990. I expect the live register to fall by about 10,000 and emigration to slow down.

This is a remarkable turn-around in a relatively short period of time and much of it is due to the Programme for National Recovery. I would be the first to admit that much remains to be done. Relevant studies are being undertaken by the NESC. I have no doubt that employment levels and employment creation will form an important agenda item in the negotiation of any further programme.