Ireland has fourth highest jobless rate

Calls have been made for government action as it emerged Ireland has the fourth highest unemployment rate in Europe.

Figures show 14.6% of the labour force was jobless in November, behind other bailed-out countries Spain and Greece, both at 26.6%, and Portugal at 16.3%.

Sean Healy, director of Social Justice Ireland, said it is clear austerity is not working.

“An alternative approach, which focuses on increased investment, is required,” said Dr Healy.

“Without a substantial increase in investment, there will be no increase in jobs on the scale required.

“Without jobs, there will be no recovery. Without recovery, Ireland will remain mired in austerity for the foreseeable future.”

Most recent figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, revealed there were more than 26m people out of work in the 27 EU states by the end of the year, with 18.8m of those in the 17 eurozone countries.

The unemployment rate across the EU was 10.7% in November, but was at 11.8% in the eurozone.

Unemployment among under-25s stood at 23.7% in the EU and 24.4% in the eurozone, both up from a year earlier.

The lowest unemployment rates were in Austria (4.5%), Luxembourg (5.1%), Germany (5.4%), and the Netherlands (5.6%).

Michelle Murphy, research and policy analyst with SJI, said despite recent announcements on jobs, the Government is failing to address unemployment on anything like the scale required.

“Domestic demand is set to fall again in 2013,” said Ms Murphy. “Unemployment is set to fall but this will occur because emigration will continue.

“In reality, the current approach by the Government to resolving Ireland’s series of crises is not working. In fact, it is running down the economy.

“Despite taking almost €28bn out of the economy in tax increases and expenditure cuts since July 2008, Ireland still has 700,000 people at risk of poverty.”