FG: Martin has 'overseen' 20,000 job losses

More than 20,000 people have lost their jobs since Employment Minister Michael Martin came to office in 2004, it was claimed today.

Fine Gael will tomorrow use Dáil time to raise concerns about the rising unemployment rate – the highest in seven years.

The party claims a total of 16,300 people joined the Live Register in January and February bringing the total to 187,900.

Live Register figures for March are expected to show a further rise when they are published on Friday.

Tomorrow’s Private Members’ Motion in the name of Fine Gael TDs claims 20,605 people have lost their jobs since Mr Martin came to office in a Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004.

“The unemployment rate now stands at 5.2%, its highest rate in seven years and it is projected by the ESRI to rise to over 6% by the end of the year to a nine-year high,” the motion says.

Some firms where jobs have been lost or threatened since January include: Allergan in Arklow, Merriot Radiators and Bulmers in Clonmel, Xerox and Lucent in Blanchardstown, the Burlington Hotel and Arnotts in Dublin, Hospira in Donegal, Portwest in Westport, Jacobs in Tallaght, Kingspan in Dungarvan, Abbott Laboratories in Galway, American Power Conversion in Castlebar, Grove Turkeys in Co Monaghan, Dawn Meats in Co Roscommon, Oatfields in Letterkenny, Merriot in Tipperary, SFL Engineering and Slaney Meats in Kilkenny and Nexans in Athlone.

Meanwhile, Mr Martin will tomorrow launch an expert report on the declining manufacturing sector.

The report looked at the challenges facing the sector and identifies radical measures for employers, employees and the Government.

Fine Gael wants the Government to restore competitiveness in the economy by investing in infrastructure and by controlling inflation through wage moderation and lower utility prices.

The party will also call in the Dáil for a national upskilling programme for 500,000 people over the next 12 years.

The motion will be debated for two days beginning tomorrow and voted upon on Thursday afternoon.