Last budget ‘helped create jobs’

Measures introduced in last year’s budget have helped create employment and boost the commercial property and financial services sector, according to the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan.

Speaking to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Mr Noonan said that there had been a broad-based recovery in the employment market with the agri-food, manufacturing and financial services among other sectors adding to the 34,000 jobs created over the past year.

“In August, the unemployment rate was 13.4%, down from 15.1% at the beginning of 2012. While all this progress is very encouraging, tackling unemployment will remain the Government’s priority for the foreseeable future as we build on the progress made over the past year.