Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2017
65. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the high levels of underemployment and low levels of job quality in County Wexford; the measures she is taking to reduce live register figures there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50589/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe official measure of unemployment is sourced from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). The most recent data show that unemployment has fallen from a peak of 15% in 2012 to 6.2% by mid-2017. Numbers at work have increased from 1.836 million in Q2 2012 to 2.063 million in Q2 2017, an increase of 227,000 persons. Within the South East region, which includes Wexford, unemployment has fallen from 19.0% to 8.1% over the same period, and numbers in employment have increased by 29,000 to 214,900.
While data from the QNHS are not available at the county level, trends in the Live Register can give an indication of underlying trends in local unemployment.
Overall, the Live Register in Wexford has fallen by almost 42% in the 5 years to October 2017, close to the reduction of 44% nationally. In the year to October 2017, the Live Register in Wexford has fallen by 1741 people, or almost 14%, again closely in line with the national trend.
Regional QNHS data show increases in employment in the high technology sectors in the South East. Employment in the information and communications sector grew by 50% in the five years up to Q4 2016 compared to 13% nationally. Likewise the professional, scientific and technical activities sector 90%, compared to 19% nationally.
These figures indicate that the county has shared in the overall national recovery both in terms of unemployment and the level and quality of employment.
The Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment since 2012 is twofold. First, through policies set out in the Action Plan for Jobs, to create an environment in which business can succeed and create jobs. The policy now includes a specific regional Action Plan for the South East Region that has seen over 8,000 jobs created in the region in the last two years.
Second, through Pathways to Work we ensure that as many of these new jobs and other vacancies that arise in our economy are filled by people taken from the Live Register. Under this policy, the employment service and activation supports provided by my Department are heavily concentrated on the areas of highest unemployment, including those in Wexford.
To date, as I have said, these policies have been effective in reducing unemployment, both nationally and in Wexford. I am confident that they will continue to do so.
