LATEST unemployment figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicate that the economic recovery has bypassed many Limerick communities with the city and county topping the list of unemployment blackspots in Ireland.
LATEST unemployment figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicate that the economic recovery has bypassed many Limerick communities with the city and county topping the list of unemployment blackspots in Ireland.79 blackspots were identified by the CSO, with Limerick accounting for 18 of them, including Ballynanty, Kileely, Prospect, Galvone, Rathbane, Singland, Shannon Banks and Rathkeale.
And, according to local Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan, the latest figures highlight just how out of touch Fine Gael is with what is going on outside of Dublin.
“There were 79 unemployment blackspots where more than 27 per cent of the workforce were out of a job last April. 18 of them were in Limerick and eight of the ten worst blackspots were in Limerick City,” he explained.
“These figures are stark, and haven’t moved down in years. This is more than Dublin, Cork and Galway cities combined which is truly shocking. This paints a grim picture of the unemployment problem in many parts of Limerick, which is not being reflected by government statistics.”
He said that while jobs were being created, it was clear that some areas were benefitting while others continued to suffer from a lack of jobs and opportunities.
“The average unemployment rate in these areas of Limerick stood at 35.7 per cent, miles away from the national average of 12.9 per cent.
“Last year Fine Gael’s campaign slogan was ‘Keep the Recovery Going’. These statistics show that no recovery has arrived in certain parts of the country. Many of those still unemployed are former construction workers, and this section of the workforce needs particular focus.”
He claimed that apprenticeship scheme are limited and expansion is needed to allow workers to up-skill.
“Clearly government intervention is needed, and the two newly appointed Ministers with responsibility for employment, need to get a grip on this and ensure the next set of figures show a marked improvement.”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O’Dea believes that the Government needs to redouble their efforts in Limerick’s Regeneration areas to create more social programmes and get people back to work.
“The Government will have to reexamine the regeneration programme and put more focus into the social aspect of the areas affected such as providing employment programmes to get people back to work. Increased housing and improvements in the physical infrastructure of Regeneration areas are very welcome, but there has to be a focus on providing people with employment and the Government need to redouble their efforts in this regard,” Deputy O’Dea told the Limerick Post.
“With eight of the ten worst unemployment black spots in the country, we cannot ignore this problem and it should serve as a wake-up call for the government.
“An inter-agency jobs task force should be established to work with Regeneration in Limerick to create jobs and provide education and training opportunities for people in these areas,” he concluded.
by Alan Jacques
