Údarás reveals job loss slowdown

Údarás na Gaeltachta, the regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht, has announced net job losses for 2011 of 104, the lowest decrease in employment in a decade.

In its end-of-year statement, Údarás said the number of jobs lost in 2011 was 40% lower than in 2009.

The agency attributed the slowdown to its investment strategy, which has been focused over the past three years on supporting existing businesses. The statement said the job reductions were due primarily to companies shedding a small number of staff in order to rationalise and reduce costs.