3rd December 2014
The Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD, has welcomed the latest Live Register figures published by the Central Statistics Office.
The number of people signing on the Live Register is now 10% lower than this time last year and stands at 352,647.
Overall, 124,701 people left the Register to take up work during the first ten months of this year. The overall unemployment rate is approximately 11% down from a peak in 2012 of 15.1%.
Minister Nash said, “I am very pleased to see the continuing downward trend in the number of people on the Live Register. It is particularly heartening to see that the number of long term unemployed is also falling, albeit not as fast as I would like. “
“Today’s statistics alongside the QNHS figures last week which showed that the unemployment rate is approximately 11% is very encouraging. But, we have more to do to ensure that all of our people can have the dignity of work.”
“I am also aware that the recovery which we are seeing both in our economy and in our job figures is not being felt in the pockets of everyone in the country as yet. That is why the partial restoration of the Christmas bonus by the Tánaiste Joan Burton this week, which sees 1.23 million pensioners, lone parents, carers and jobseekers benefit, is particularly welcome.
“In January, when income tax cuts and changes to the Universal Social Charge come into effect, every worker in Ireland will be better off as a result of the decisions taken by this Government in the Budget. Every worker will finally see a real increase in their take home pay.”
“The Live Register figures show that the vast majority of people have a strong incentive to work. We are also implementing changes such as the Back to Work Family Dividend which will give additional financial support to jobseekers with families who return to work. “
Minister Nash concluded, “Work should pay and I am determined to continue to progress the dignity of work agenda, looking particularly at those on low pay in the coming year. We are carrying out a study into zero and low hour contracts, I will soon establish a Low Pay Commission to advise Government on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage and I am also progressing key legislation to give further protections to workers, especially those on low pay.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Press Office, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: press.office@djei.ie or Ph: 01-631 2200
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