Jobs quality declining, says economist

THE continuing low unemployment rate has masked a decline in the quality of Irish jobs, according to Friends First economist Jim Power.

Speaking at the presentation of the company’s quarterly economic outlook yesterday, Mr Power said jobs had been lost across the manufacturing sector in recent years but had been replaced by an increase in public sector recruitment and by low-paid jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Mr Power said there was an urgent need to invest in education to increase the skill level in the Irish labour force and keep ahead of competing countries. “Ireland can no longer compete on the basis of a 12.5% tax rate, the availability of a young, English-speaking workforce, or access to the European market,” said Mr Power.