Dole Numbers Are Dropping
The number of people on the Live Register fell by almost 43,000 last year. There are 355,124 people claiming the Dole now compared to 398,069 this time last year. A report from the Central Statistics Office was sent to Jobs Minister Richard Bruton yesterday and he said ‘Every job created is a life back on track, a family changed, a community improved. These figures are hugely encouraging. We have a long way to go and many people are still not feeling the benefits. However, today’s numbers are the latest in a list of signs that the plan is working.’
Unemployment has fallen by more than 17% in the past two years and the Government wants to bring the unemployment rate to below 10% before the end of the year. Tánaiste Joan Burton said ‘The unemployment rate is now at 10.1%, and we will drive this below 10% in the coming months. While unemployment is still far too high, a single-figure rate will demonstrate the real progress being made.’ The Minister for State Gerald Nash stated that ‘The figures show that we are very much on track to bring unemployment down to below 10% before the end of this year. In fact, it looks like we will achieve this figure well before the Government target of the end of 2015.’
Those critical of the Government would point to the high level of emigration as a valve to Dole figures. They would also point to the high amount of low paid part time work that many are forced to take. In addition, Jobbridge scheme positions, which may not be counted as social welfare payments also help to massage these figures. These factors aside, it still is good news and hopefully, we are beginning to see a turn in the State’s economic fortunes.
