Written Answers. - Unemployment in Dublin.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
16
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Enterprise and Employment
the percentage of the workforce in the Dublin region unemployed; the national average; the European Union average; the measures, if any, he will introduce to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9886/96]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
58
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Enterprise and Employment
if his attention has been drawn to the problem of chronic unemployment in the Dublin region; his views in respect of this matter; the action, if any, he intends to take to help redress the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9992/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 58 together.
The following table outlines the percentage of the workforce in the Dublin area who are unemployed versus the national and EU averages. The figures quoted refer to the Dublin planning region.
percentage of workforce unemployed
|
Dublin
|
National average
|
European Union average
|
|
15.0
|
14.7
|
11.4
|
The figures quoted are the ILO measure of unemployment rates as this is the only way of getting a meaningful cross-national comparison.
The problem of unemployment is receiving priority treatment from the Government. In particular, the long-term unemployed have been targeted for special measures. I have outlined on several occasions in this House the initiatives involved. These include the development of more friendly taxation and social welfare regimes and the introduction in this year's budget of a series of precisely targeted employment measures: the splitting of the Community Employment (CE) programme into two distinct options (a) a part-time integration option and (b) a part-time jobs option and the better targeting of the programme at the long-term unemployed; introduction of a new pilot whole-time jobs option; introduction of a new recruitment subsidy scheme called "Jobstart"; introduction of a new work experience programme called "Work-Place"; introduction of special measures for 18-19 year olds; the extension of the back to work allowance scheme and the introduction of retention of certain benefits for those returning to work.
The establishment of the local employment service represents an important component of the Government's response to tackling long-term unemployment. The distinctive additional elements of this service, in providing an individually tailored progression path towards employment for its clients and in ensuring that there is a well co-ordinated employment delivery service at local level, should yield real benefits in terms of securing employment for long-term unemployed persons, as the service develops. This innovative approach is being launched initially in 14 key areas, including the major unemployment "black-spots"— in other words, targeted where it is most crucially needed.
My plans for 1996 are that the service will be consolidated in the 14 areas and subject to an evaluation later this year, before consideration is given to extending the service on a planned basis to other areas.
There is a strong link between low levels of education and long-term unemployment. Consequently, training is another important component in measures to assist the unemployed. This area will be part of the White Paper on Training which my Department is currently drawing up.
Finally, there is the on-going work of IDA Ireland, Forbairt and the county enterprise boards in attracting jobs to the region.
In this regard I was pleased to announce, on Tuesday last a major expansion by Gateway 2000. This will create 1,200 new jobs for Dublin's Northside and will bring total employment by the company in Ireland to 2,300. This is remarkable given the fact that their Irish operation was only established in 1993. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to IDA Ireland for its efforts and success in attracting Gateway 2000 to Ireland.
