Just eight counties record fall in unemployment

ONE IN THREE counties have seen a marginal drop in their Live Register figures over the past 12 months — despite the total number of people on the dole continuing to rise by 3,460 since July 2010.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office, published in full by the Irish Examiner today, show that over the past year eight of the 26 counties covered by the independent state body recorded a fall in unemployment rates.

These areas are Cork (down 460 people), Waterford (down 450), Limerick (down 751), Clare (down 86), Galway (down 183), Longford (down 70), Leitrim (down 61) and Cavan (down 116).

However, over the same 12 months, the total Live Register rate increased from 466,824 people to 470,284 , with 18 counties still unable to put the brakes on their unemployment levels.

Since July 2010 the number of under-25s on the dole has fallen from 94,584 to 89,326 — a 5,258-person reduction.

While the drop has been welcomed by the Fine Gael-Labour Coalition as evidence their measures to find work for young people are working, the Socialist Party said it is more likely to be the indirect result of surging emigration, which the ESRI predicts will hit 50,000 this year alone.

The opposition group has also raised the same concern over the 2,690-person drop in the number of men on the dole — which has fallen from 300,460 to 297,770 — and has noted a near 7,000-person increase in women over the age of 25 who are now unemployed.

Despite the improvement in just over one-third of counties, employment black spots such as Donegal (23,223 unemployed), Offaly (9,870) and Kerry (16,728) continue to report a significant rise in Live Register levels compared to their population.

Dublin is also struggling to cope with growing rates, with 112,792 now on the dole compared to 112,155 last year.

One in five claimants in long-deprived areas such as Finglas, Ballymun and Tallaght are under the age of 25.

While Government ministers said the figures indicate that some areas are beginning to turn the unemployment tide, Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins insisted the seemingly positive improvements in some counties are actually attributable to emigration, not a jobs revival.

“[The] unemployment statistics demonstrate yet again that the reward for austerity policies is higher joblessness,” Mr Higgins said.

“Behind this latest rise in the figures signing on is the more significant hike in those characterised as long-term unemployed, which has increased to over 40% of claimants compared to 31% this time last year.

“We have a growing social disaster on our hands. What will be the response of this Government?

“Even if exports continue to rise and some foreign direct investment miraculously arrives, it will not be adequate to offset the destruction that has taken place since the crisis began,” he added.