10/06/2008

Unemployment Level Reaches Unprecedented Level

New unemployment figures have revealed those collecting dole cheques have reached the 200,000 mark.

The Live Register, which outlines the numbers collecting state welfare, is now at the highest level this decade.

Fine Gael spokesman, Leo Varadkar, said the unemployment level was a “crisis” and called on the Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan to make a statement in the Daíl on the problem.

“The live register for May shows job losses are accelerating, with a 4% increase in the seasonally adjusted figure, and a massive 30% increase in the year. Job losses are now spread across the whole economy, not just the housing sector,” said Mr Varadkar.

He added: "The government claims rising unemployment is an international phenomenon, but job losses are actually falling across most of Europe. Ireland is only one of two EU countries where unemployment has risen in the last year.

“The Republic used to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, but now has a bigger unemployment problem than 11 other EU countries, including the UK.”

Mr Varadkar said the figures should be “setting off alarm bells” in the government, and said that a new government strategy was needed.

(DW/KMcA)


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