The sooner the job creation measures in the Labour/Fine Gael Programme for Government are implemented the better as unemployment is continuing to rise.
This is the view of Labour Galway West TD Derek Nolan who was reacting to the latest figures in the Quarterly National Household Survey. The figures showed an increase in the numbers unemployed and a decrease in the numbers of people in employment.
“During the general election campaign, I met countless numbers of people who had lost jobs or whose family members had lost jobs, and who were very worried about the future,” said Dep Nolan. “The scale and depth of the problem is already perfectly clear. We now have to get down to the business of addressing this massive social problem.”
The Programme for Government is proposing to provide resources for an additional 15,000 places in training, work experience, and educational opportunities for those out of work; halving the lower 8.5 per cent rate of PRSI up to the end of 2013 on jobs paying up to €356 per week; reversing the minimum wage cut; and creating a long-term strategy to develop new markets for Irish exports in emerging economies.
“It is vital to get the process of implementing these measures under way,” said Dep Nolan, “so we can provide at least some light at the end of the tunnel for people fearful for their future.”
