Harney Welcomes Dramatic Fall in Unemployment "Long-Term Unemployment on Target to Reach 2% by End-2000"

Tánaiste Mary Harney today (Wednesday, 21 July 1999) welcomed the "dramatic" year-on-year drop in unemployment of 43,500 recorded in the Quarterly National Household Survey for the First Quarter 1999.

Commenting on the figures, the Tánaiste said "In the space of one year unemployment fell by one-third, and long-term unemployment by 40%. It is clear that the tiger economy is benefiting all sectors of society and the dividends from hard work, productivity and social partnership are paying off".

"Unemployment now stands at 5.8% and long-term unemployment at 2.6% of the labour force. I am heartened that the numbers of people who are long-term unemployed have fallen as a proportion of the total number of unemployed. I expect that the extension of the Employment Action Plan to older age groups will further impact positively on these figures. We are now well on the way to achieving our target to have long-term unemployment down to just 2% by the end of next year.

The Tánaiste continued "While we must be pleased at the positive trend but there is no room or place for complacency. I recognise that there are areas and regions in the State which have benefited less from our success. It is imperative now to match the dynamism of the economy with strategic thinking and concrete measures to ensure all our citizens benefit from our prosperity. In particular, I am determined that my regional jobs dispersal policy will have a positive employment impact in regional areas of higher unemployment".