There has been a drop of more than 30 per cent in the number of long-term unemployed since October 1996, according to the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern. The number of people out of work for one year or longer has fallen from 134,000 in October 1996 to 95,000. From 50 per cent of all those signing on the live register 2 1/2 years ago, the long-term unemployed now comprise 45 per cent.
Mr Ahern pointed out that a variety of support measures were reducing the numbers signing on the live register. He said that the Government's Employment Action Plan would be systematically extended to cover all long-term unemployed people.