Unemployment in Ireland continues to fall – Rock

CSO data shows the number of people unemployed has decreased by over 40,000 in the last year said Fine Gael TD, Noel Rock.

The figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2017 was 6.3% or 139,400 people, down from 6.4% in May 2017 and down from 8.3% or 181,500 people  in June last year.

Deputy Rock, Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West says this shows that the Government’s growth driven policies are working as we now head towards full employment.

Since Fine Gael’s Action Plan for Jobs was introduced in 2012, it has been one of the Government’s key instruments to support job creation.

This is a massive drop in the unemployment rate since unemployment peaked in 2012, the legacy of Fianna Fáil’s policies and their inept reaction to the economic crisis.

Over 225,000 jobs have been created since the Action Plan for Jobs was launched in 2012, with 1,300 new jobs created every week during 2016. In percentage terms this is is one of the highest decreases in the European Union.

Deputy Rock, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation said “Last February, we launched the 2017 Action Plan for Jobs to help create jobs for all who seek one. The Government is aiming for full employment; meaning that there is a job for everyone who wants one by 2019.

“While the economic recovery has taken root, our social recovery is only beginning. The Live Register in May was at the lowest number recorded since October 2008.

“Fine Gael is  making every effort to nurture the social recovery at this crucial phase and are determined to remove disadvantage and exclusion across our society- rural to urban, young to old, all levels and kinds of ability. We went to ensure access for all to high quality public services including affordable and high-quality childcare.”