Irish Rural Link
| Main Menu | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
| Latest News |
|---|
http://www.irishrurallink.ie, Powered by Joomla! Progression
| CSO figures highlight realities of regional and rural unemployment |
|
| Written by Sean O'Leary | |
| Tuesday, 12 January 2010 | |
|
Irish Rural Link (IRL) – the national network campaigning for sustainable rural communiti
 es –has said the CSO’s live register figures published today highlight the issue of rural and regional unemployment. The largest percentage increases in December were in the Mid-West (Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary) and Mid-East (Meath, Kildare, Wicklow) regions (both +3.2%) and the smallest percentage increase was in the Dublin region (+1.8%). In the year to December 2009 the unadjusted Live Register increased by 133,577 (+46.1%) overall and while all regions showed annual increases the largest percentage increase was in the Mid-East region (+50.8%). Of the counties, in December the largest percentage increase was in Leitrim (+4.2%). According to Irish Rural Link chief executive Seamus Boland “The unemployment crisis will be most difficult to resolve in rural areas. The structure of the rural economy with higher shares employed in sectors that tend to be lower skilled and lower value added –is having a major impact upon the ability of rural areas to cope with the decline and benefit from any recovery. These areas were over-reliant on primary industries such as agriculture, construction and traditional manufacturing. Off-farm income in sectors such as construction was vital for farm families and thousands of these jobs have been lost. The loss of skilled workers to cities and abroad further undermines local economies.” “The figures show the impact of job losses on rural counties and in more remote areas, for example the numbers signing on in the local offices of Skibbereen and Bantry doubled over the course of last year. Commitments to rural investment, delivering accessible training, job creation and achieving more balanced regional development must be kept” Mr. Boland concluded. -Ends- For further information, please contact (anytime): Seamus Boland (Chief Executive) 090 648 2744 or 086 249 1153 Seán O’Leary (Policy and Communications Officer) 090 648 2744 or 083 333 9364 Editor’s Note The CSO figures and County by county details are available by clicking here |