Radical new approach needed to tackle unemployment crisis

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has called for an urgent and radical change in the Government’s approach to tackling the jobs crisis, as long-term unemployment reaches alarming levels.

According to the latest CSO figures published today, 44% of those on the Live Register are now trapped in long-term unemployment and the unemployment rate remains stuck at 14%.

“The IMF has this week described the jobs crisis here as ‘staggering’ with an alarming 23% of the labour force now either unemployed or underemployed.  Behind these figures are people in extreme difficulty who feel there are no realistic work options available to them,” said Deputy Calleary.

“It is clear that the Government is failing utterly to tackle the deepening unemployment crisis.  All the glossy jobs initiatives, the high-profile launches and the big promises have not worked. The long-term unemployment rate is increasing every single month.  Last month alone there was a jump of 8.7% in the number of women falling into long-term unemployment.

“This is an extremely worrying trend.  There are now 187,896 people classed as long-term unemployed and the longer they are stuck there, the harder it becomes for them to get back to work.

“I have been urging Ministers Bruton and Burton to rethink their approach to the jobs crisis for some time now.  These latest figures, and the stark warnings from the IMF, must act as a much-needed wake-up call for the Government.  A radical change in direction is needed.  We need to ensure that we have targeted employment schemes that result in genuine job opportunities, that we have sufficient training and up-skilling opportunities for the long-term unemployed and that we have enough people and resources targeted at getting people back to work,” said Deputy Calleary.