If the Government is serious about reducing the gap, it will require a systemic effort across a number of departments, writes Siptu economist Marie Sherlock      

Siptu claims the health system is likely to need an addtional €600m this year — but questions where the additional monies can be found.

The unemployment rate has continued to fall slightly, reaching 12.4%, official data has revealed.

A Siptu economist has said it is unclear how much the fall in the unemployment rate announced today is due to new jobs, training or emigration.

Fianna Fáil has described the Government’s economic plan as long on aspiration but short on detail and a missed opportunity for the country in the wake of the formal exit from the bailout programme.

The Government’s first post-bailout economic plan has been met with a mixed response, with the Small Firms Association claiming it is short in detail.

The unemployment rate has fallen slightly to 13.4%, the fourth month in a row it has come down.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits fell last month, but the number of long-term claimants has increased over the same period last year.

Seasonally-adjusted figures have shown a small decrease in the number of people signing on the Live Register in December.

The annual unemployment rate has fallen for the first time since 2005 as new figures show the number of people out of work fell by 1.1% in the third quarter of 2012.

Public sector wages have risen in the second quarter and workers in the sector now earn on average €300 per week more than their private sector counterparts.

A Coalition clash over how to impose new, higher property taxes has been denied by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

There was mixed reaction to the Government’s long-awaited action plan on jobs, with groups welcoming proposals but claiming they were not backed up by funds.

Four years into the economic crisis, the Government has confronted the reality of the debt problem which is crippling so many, the head of campaigning group Free Legal Advice Centres has said.

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions is to invest more than €300,000 per year for at least the next five years in a specialist economic unit.

A Minister of State says the country is not in a position to continue borrowing at the current rate of more than €400m a week.

STRONG student opposition to any college fees or loan system was highlighted in protests in Dublin and Limerick.