Numbers at work at highest level since 2008

Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton has welcomed the reduction in the monthly unemployment rate to 6.8%. Figures published in the Central Statistics Office Quarterly National Household Survey show that employment continues to increase with approximately 1,300 jobs created every week in 2016.

“Since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in February 2012 there are now 205,900 more people at work which exceeds by more than 100% the Action Plan target of 100,000 additional jobs by the end of 2016. There are now over 2 million people at work in Ireland and it is the 18th quarter in a row where unemployment has declined. Employment grew in all 14 economic sectors during 2016 with the largest increases in construction, industry and professional, scientific & technical activities”, noted Minister Stanton.

“The work of the enterprise agencies and Local Enterprise Offices to bring jobs to every corner of the country is supported by Regional Action Plans for Jobs. The proof of this is that 70% of 66,100 new jobs created last year were created outside of the Dublin area and these increases are reflected in Live Register figures in my constituency of Cork East:

Cobh                   January 2012             January 2017             %Decrease
25 and over        966                              673                               30%
Under 25            223                              104                               53%

Fermoy             January 2012              January 2017              %Decrease
25 and over      2294                             1329                              42%
Under 25          415                                146                                65%

Mallow             January 2012              January 2017              %Decrease
25 and over      2299                             1338                             42%
Under 25          409                               161                                61%

Midleton          January 2012             January 2017              %Decrease
25 and over     2854                             1787                              37%
Under 25         409                               143                                65%

Youghal           January 2012             January 2017              %Decrease
25 and over     1582                             1103                              30%
Under 25         271                                122                                55%

“The rise in employment nationally and decline in figures on the Live Register locally are very encouraging in particular for the under 25s. They clearly show that Government’s Action Plan is working to support an environment where jobs are being created. These new employment opportunities are making a real difference to people’s lives, those of their families and communities.