North Dublin unemployment showing steady decline

Date: 05/11/2010
Posted by: Darragh

NUMBERS SIGNING ON IN BALBRIGGAN DOWN 7% IN TWO MONTHS, DOWN 4% IN SWORDS

I welcome the steady decline in the number of people signing on the live register at centres in Balbriggan and Swords in the last two months.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number of people signing on in Balbriggan fell by 4.7% in October alone and is down 7% since August. There are also positive indicators from the social welfare office in Swords which recorded a 2.5% reduction in October, down 4% since August.

As the economy recovers the employment situation will improve. There was a national monthly decrease of 6,600 in the Live Register in October 2010. This is the largest drop in a single month since 1996 and it's the first time the Live Register figures have fallen in two consecutive months since early 2007.

There are many positive indicators and reasons to have confidence in Ireland's recovery and growth prospects. Our export performance has shown great resilience and dynamism. The CSO says the value of exports in July was up by 12% compared with July 2009.

Eight of the world's top 10 technology firms are based in Ireland and domestic business confidence is improving. A recent survey by the Small Firms Association on business sentiment among small company owners showed it had markedly improved since this time last year and almost a third of company owners now rate their business as 'good' or 'very good'.

In North Dublin the jobs position is thankfully improving. Hundreds of new jobs are being created at Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport due to open this month. Hundreds of additional jobs are being created through recent announcements by Stream Ireland; Kellogs and Hertz - both of whom are expanding their European headquarters in Swords, as well as the recent opening of the two motorway service areas on the M1 at Lusk. In addition to this the small to medium business sector in North Dublin is performing well. I have met many new businesses who have started new business ventures, many with the assistance of Fingal County Enterprise Board.

We must continue to work to create new employment opportunities for people. The Government has a number of important schemes in place for this including the Capital Investment Plan and the Innovation Fund. We are working to attract new business into Ireland. However, the best thing we can do to create investment and jobs is to stabilise our national finances and show that we are in control of our own destiny. The four year budget and growth plan will demonstrate our resolve to recover and grow our economy and create new jobs.