30th June 2015
The Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD has welcomed new figures from the Central Statistics Office on the monthly unemployment rate which now stands at 9.8%.
New monthly unemployment estimates from CSO confirm level has fallen to 9.8%
The seasonally adjusted number of people who are unemployed fell by 300 to a total of 209,700 in May – the lowest level recorded since 2009.
On an annual basis the level of unemployment has fallen by 40,500 or 16.2%.
Welcoming the new figures, Minister Nash said, “These new unemployment figures from the CSO are very welcome and confirm that unemployment is continuing to fall, as the economic recovery takes hold and the situation for jobseekers improves right across the country.
“However, we still have a long way to go to ensure that every person in Ireland who wants a job can get a job – a goal this Government has set itself to achieve by 2018. I am also acutely aware that the long-term unemployment levels, while heading in the right direction, are still far too high.
“Just one year ago, the unemployment rate stood at 11.7% so it is clear that our plans to tackle unemployment are working. Through the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work, people are returning to the workforce, contributing to their families and their communities and enjoying the dignity and sense of worth that having a job brings.”
“My focus is now firmly on trying to ensure along with creating the right environment to assist companies to grow and hire more people that these jobs are decent, sustainable jobs that help families to secure their future in this recovering economy.”
The CSO figures show that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for men now stands at 11% while it is 8.3% for women.
ENDS
For more information contact Deirdre Grant 01 6312227 or 086 0484279
Press Office, D/Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, ph. 6312200 or press.office@djei.ie
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