JULY REDUNDANCIES:THE NUMBER of redundancies fell by almost 16 per cent in July compared with a year earlier, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation said yesterday.
The data showed 5,298 jobs were lost to the economy last month, compared with 6,285 in July 2009, and 5,326 in June.
However, although the rate of losses has slowed, a large number of jobs have been lost so far this year. The latest figures bring to 39,105 the number of redundancies in 2010.
The figures were published the same day that the Central Statistics Office said the unemployment rate rose to 13.7 per cent and an additional 8,500 people signed on to the Live Register.
Minister for Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe said the slowing rate of layoffs was an indicator that economic recovery is under way. He said the number of redundancies lodged to the department last month was lower than in any month last year except December.
However, lobby groups for SMEs yesterday called for the Government to intervene to save jobs.
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) said the immediate introduction of a comprehensive National Economic Plan with a national employment strategy was needed to address the escalating jobs crisis.
“The total lack of an overall economic plan for the country is a national disgrace, which will have repercussions for years to come,” said Isme chief executive Mark Fielding.
“The Government seem to have bought into the idea that Ireland is set for ‘jobless growth’ and have turned a deaf ear to calls for a jobs stimulus package, which will more than pay for itself . . .”
SFA director Avine McNally said the redundancy figures were not surprising. “The only way to solve the unemployment crisis is through generating economic activity. It is essential that Government prioritise the restoration of cost competitiveness to the small business sector, she said.”
