Jobs must be Priority, not Cuts
21 Sep 2010
Speaking after the release of new figures which showed a doubling in the numbers of long term unemployed, Congress Economic Advisor Paul Sweeney said: "This is a very serious and disturbing trend. It shows quite clearly that Government has got its priorities completely wrong. Jobs - not cuts - must be the priority if we are to have any hope of recovery."
The figures were contained in the Central Statistics Quarterly National Household Survey, which showed a virtual doubling in the numbers out of work for more than a year or more. The long term unemployment rate now stands at 5.9%, up from 2.6% last year.
"That figure represents an awful lot of hardship for an awful lot of people and is just one more sign that Government needs to change course. Instead of banks and cutbacks, they need to be focusing on people and jobs," Mr Sweeney said.
Congress will hold a protest gathering on September 29 at the Dail, to mark the return of Government deputies after the summer break and to highlight Government inaction on the Jobs Crisis.
ends