Unemployment among women up 92% in Cork

THE number of unemployed women aged over 25 in the Cork metropolitan region has almost doubled in a year.

The figure has soared from 4,709 in September 2008 to 8,676 in September 2009.

The staggering 92% increase outstrips the national rate of increase by 22%.

The shocking figure emerged on Monday night at the release of the Cork Economic Monitor, which tracks the economic health of the metropolitan region.

It showed the number of people on the Live Register in the south-west was up 80% – from 32,838 in August 2008 to almost 60,000 people last September.

But the breakdown of those figures reveals a surge in youth unemployment, especially amongst women.

The figures show:

* The number of males under 25 on the Live Register is up 59% to 3,338.

* The number of males over 25 on the Live Register is up 81% to 14,518.

* The number of females under 25 on the Live Register is up 60% to 1,882.

* The number of females over 25 on the Live Register is up 92% to 6,794.

Cllr John Buttimer said the report outlines a number of underlying faults with the Cork economy that needed immediate attention.

“Of particular concern is the continuing upward spiral of unemployment which showed a 78% increase – compared to a nationwide increase of 76%,” he said.

“Of particular concern also is the dramatic increase in the number of women over the age of 25 years who are unemployed, standing at almost 7,000 women.”

The Economic Monitor also showed that 15% of office space in Cork city is vacant, with 45% vacancy in south Cork.

However, city manager Joe Gavin said it is important to put that figure in the context of a massive increase in retail provision in the city centre in recent months.