Job creation should be Govt's priority: INOU

The Government has been asked to roll back on its decision to cut back resources for job creation agencies.

The Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU) said it is extremely concerned about the increase in the numbers on the live register, and has called on the Government to stem the rising trend.

According to the INOU, long-term unemployment has risen for the first time since 1994, and the situation must be immediately addressed if a return to the pre-Celtic Tiger levels of 12% is to be prevented.

Eric Conroy, general secretary of the INOU said the Government should prioritise job creation and fund the agencies in that sector.

"Job supporting agencies like the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have all been cut back in the estimates at a time when unemployment is rising.

"We call on the Government to rescind those cuts," he said.