Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which full restoration and availability of jobs lost through Covid-19 is being achieved at present; if there are still issues outstanding that can be helpful to employees and employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45378/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which staff remain available to return to their respective employment post-Covid; if any specific challenges have arisen in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45384/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 159 together.
When we launched the Economic Recovery Plan last year, we set a goal of achieving 2.5 million people in employment by 2024. The Plan not only aimed to recover employment lost during the pandemic but to promote new employment opportunities through increased labour market activation and by accelerating the provision of training, reskilling and upskilling opportunities.
According to the latest available national figures, from the Central Statistics Office’s Labour Force Survey, employment levels reached 2.55 million in Q2 2022. We now have more people employed in our country than ever before, while the quarterly unemployment rate stands at 4.4% - levels not seen since 2005. These results are a testament to the hard work and resilience of the Irish people and enterprise. The rate of growth since the beginning of 2021 has been remarkable. Since Q1 2021, the number of people in employment has grown by 324,000 (14.5%).
It has been especially welcome to see a strong recovery in the Accommodation and Food Service sector, with employment in this sector increasing by 68% since the start of 2021. The impact of the pandemic was not equal across sectors, and those in the Hospitality sector were significantly affected. Our strong policy interventions during the pandemic – rapidly rolling out the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and Pandemic Unemployment Payment – appear to have minimised any long-term labour market scarring in the sector.
Much of the recent increase in employment has been driven by record levels of female labour market participation. There is currently a record-high 1.19 million women in employment – an increase of 164,400 since the start of 2021. As well as continued funding increases for early learning and childcare, interventions through Making Remote Work, our national Remote Work Strategy and Pathways to Work 2021-2025, have assisted in addressing obstacles to labour market inclusion for women.
As we approach full employment, one challenge for businesses will be recruiting talent with the right skills - this is particularly important in the context of the dual green and digital transitions. As set out in the Economic Recovery Plan , the Government continues to roll-out thousands of additional re-skilling and upskilling opportunities to steer employees and employers through employment transitions, while my Department also operates an employment permit system which is highly responsive to areas of identified skills needs and labour shortages across the economy.
I recognise that these employment figures do not tell the lived experience for some, and many people are struggling and worried about the future. My Department have been making huge improvements to workers’ rights this year, including introducing statutory sick pay, the right to request remote working and, starting next year, moving to a living wage, all of which will enhance employment security, flexibility and make sure work pays. These rights, coupled with new cost-of-living measures due to be announced in Budget 2023, will help with what will be a difficult winter ahead.
