Ivor Callely
Ceist:13 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach the live register figures for each period in 1995; the comparative figures for each of the years 1985, 1989 and 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1491/96]
Written Answers - Live Register.
The information required by the Deputy is set out in a statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. Following is the statement:
Numbers on the Live Register for each month of 1985, 1989, 1992 and 1995
|
1985 |
1989 |
1992 |
1995 |
|
|
January |
234,064 |
245,434 |
276,729 |
281,681 |
|
February |
233,909 |
241,522 |
278,432 |
280,522 |
|
March |
230,447 |
240,699 |
279,210 |
276,583 |
|
April |
227,955 |
233,053 |
280,877 |
275,997 |
|
May |
223,662 |
228,604 |
269,950 |
269,019 |
|
June |
227,938 |
230,310 |
280,291 |
276,104 |
|
July |
231,026 |
229,975 |
290,725 |
280,191 |
|
August |
234,981 |
231,734 |
292,881 |
281,065 |
|
September |
229,518 |
224,122 |
287,099 |
276,235 |
|
October |
225,600 |
220,282 |
281,742 |
275,677 |
|
November |
228,049 |
221,803 |
286,047 |
274,705 |
|
December |
239,867 |
231,128 |
293,719 |
285,423 |
Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:16 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach if he accepts that the unemployment level is approximately double the level as represented by the live register figure. [1701/96]
The definitive statistical measures of employment and unemployment are based on the annual labour force survey. The latest results, for April 1995, showed a total of 192,000 persons as unemployed — i.e. some 84,000 less than the live register total for last April.
The labour force survey has followed a consistent methodology for measuring employment and unemployment since it was introduced in 1975. The figure of 192,000 unemployed is based on respondents' personal assessment of their usual situation with regard to employment.
The live register, on the other hand, counts the number of persons falling within the scope of the Department of Social Welfare unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit schemes and is influenced by changes in administrative rules and practices. It does not provide a measure of the level of unemployment, as it includes, for example, persons who work on a part-time, seasonal or occasional basis and persons who consider themselves primarily committed to home duties. However, it is in its own right an important social indicator of Government income support.
The main statistical use of the Live Register is as an indicator of short-term trends in unemployment, in the absence of sub-annual labour force survey estimates. However, the definitive statistical measure of unemployment is that based on the labour force survey.