Employment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey or QNHS and published by the CSO. The latest release provides data for Quarter 3, June-August 2008 which indicates that there are 2,120,800 in employment. This reflects a decrease in employment in the year of 25,200 or 1.2%.
The drop in employment, while regrettable, must be seen in the light of the unprecedented growth in the economy and in employment in the past number of years. Overall employment growth was driven by significant growth in employment in the construction sector. Such levels of growth could not last indefinitely. The resultant rise in unemployment is now compounded by the downturn in the global economy and a general slowdown in employment in all sectors. Ireland is not alone in finding itself in this position, indeed many countries throughout Europe and around the world are experiencing similar difficulties in their labour markets.
The Government is taking specific measures to address this challenge and to ensure that job losses are minimised as much as possible and for as short a time as possible. The enterprise development agencies, along with FÁS the employment and training authority, are actively engaged in facilitating job opportunities throughout the country.