11th January 2015
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
“Live Register Figures show that unemployment has been dropping for 30
months in a row and that in Co. Cork, there has been a fall of 24%..
This is very much to be welcomed” says Noel Harrington, Fine Gael TD
for Cork South West.
“Another drop in the Live Register in December emphasises that the
economy is in recovery and that more people are entering the jobs
market. I am particularly encouraged that the Live Register here in
Co. Cork.has dropped by 24%. There is however more work to be done and
I expect to see a further drop in these figures in the coming months.
“Unemployment is falling across the country, but very significantly we
are now seeing a drop in rural areas as CSO figures show that the live
register has dropped in all eight regions of the country over the
course of 2014. This year there will be an increased focus on job
creation outside of the main urban centres as the Minister for Jobs,
Richard Bruton is preparing to launch a pilot programme of the
Regional Enterprise Strategy. This strategy will specifically address
growing economies in rural areas.
“I want to ensure that we are able to compete with Dublin and Cork in
attracting foreign direct investment to Co. Cork. The IDA has recently
announced that 37% of investments in 2014 were made outside the main
centres and the Government will work to continue this trend.
“Nationally, the latest CSO Live Register figures show that the
unemployment rate has dropped to 10.6% from a high of 15.1% in 2012.
More people are at work and they can expect to see a little more money
in their bank account from this month onwards thanks to changes made
to the tax and USC system in Budget 2015.
“As the economy grows the Government is in a position to give back to
the Irish people who have sacrificed so much. All workers will see a
small increase in their earnings starting from this month but we know
that personal taxation is still too high. We are committed to pursuing
policies that make work pay and ensure that people in all parts of the
country feel the benefit of the growing economy.
“In Co. Cork, the number of people on the Live Register has fallen
from 43,941 to 33,407. Things are moving in the right direction and
these figures give us confidence that the policies pursued by this
Government are working. Through hard work and dedication a strong,
sustainable recovery can be delivered right throughout the country and
in particular here in Co. Cork.”
