Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2008
106 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the further rise in unemployment reflected in the live register over recent months; the steps being taken to stem the loss of jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44886/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of people recorded on the Live Register for November 2008 is 268,586, showing an increase of about 106,864 in the 12 month period. It should be noted that the Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment benefit.
Employment and unemployment are measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey or QNHS, and published by the Central Statistics Office. 2,120,800 are in employment while unemployment is at 160,600 for the most recent Quarter, June to August 2008.
The rise in unemployment, 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 international credit crisis in the economy and a general slowdown in employment in all sectors. Ireland is not alone in finding itself it this position; many countries throughout Europe and around the world are experiencing similar difficulties in their labour markets.
FÁS and the Department of Social and Family Affairs are working together so they can respond quickly to the increase in unemployment. For example: As regards employment and job search services, I have provided FÁS with €4 million to subsidise the employment of redundant apprentices in 2009. FÁS has, with the Local Employment Services provided by Area-Based Partnerships, geared up its Employment Services further to provide increased capacity for expected increased referrals from the Live Register. FÁS has also put in place a series of actions to facilitate redundant apprentices in completing their studies. Among these include redundant apprentices being allowed to progress to their next off-the-job phase of training without having to do the next on-the-job phase. FÁS has specific mechanisms in place to deal with redundancies and/or company closures. It offers a tailored approach as early as possible to the workers affected with a view to assisting them to access alternative employment.
As regards training for those who become unemployed, I have given FÁS an additional €5 million for training the unemployed and FÁS will increase total training places in 2009. FÁS will also be providing a range of certified, short, flexible, modular programmes in construction sector activities which are expected to remain buoyant despite the slowdown in construction.
FÁS has also established a training fund to enable a speedy response to identified re-training needs for low skilled and redundant craft workers. In 2009 FÁS will open evening classes to people who are unemployed without payment of a fee. As regards promoting enterprise development to create new jobs, the Enterprise Development Agencies of my Department, including IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, are working to ensure that we continue to grow the economy and jobs even in the current more challenging environment. The pipeline of new business for which IDA Ireland is competing is as strong as at any time in recent years. To facilitate this we need to ensure that our competitiveness is sustained into the future.
