Despite recovery unemployment rate still too high

The transition from near-full employment to high unemployment was one of the most devastating characteristics of the recession. Despite signs of recovery over the past number of months, Ireland’s unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, at 8.8% (December 2015).More alarming is the fact that, despite the recovery, there are approximately 175,000 fewer jobs in the economy now than in 2007.

While the fall in numbers on the Live Register is certainly welcome, it has been accompanied by an unwelcome increase in the overall percentage of jobs that are part-time in nature.  The challenge remains to address to issues of underemployment, long-term unemployment, youth unemployment and the working poor.

In the run up to the election Social Justice Ireland has produced a short briefing on Employment outlining some key challenges and policy recommendations.  To read more on this issue please click here.