Decrease in unemployment a positive sign - Hannigan
30 November 2012
Statement by Dominic Hannigan TD
Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee, Dominic Hannigan T.D., has welcomed the publication of the CSO report yesterday, that shows the drop in unemployment to 14.8 per cent, while slight, is a sign that unemployment figures are beginning to stabilise.
"We all know that our recovery will be slow, but there have been many green shoots to indicate that we are on the right track to recovery. So while the fall in unemployment may be small, it is yet another sign that things are improving.
"Last year over 20,000 jobs were created in the private sector in food production, technology and scientific industries. While in the first six months of this year saw companies such as PayPal, Microsoft, IBM and Amazon, who already have a base in Ireland, expanding their operations here.
"Ireland's indigenous sector is also performing strongly, especially in the area of food and drink exports. In fact, in 2011 employment in the exporting sector started to grow for the first time in three years, and this growth has continued into 2012.
"So far this Government has delivered on 96 per cent of measures under the Action Plan for Jobs 2012 and we remain committed to rebuilding a sustainable economy based on enterprise, innovation and exports."
