Number of men signing
on more than doubles
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen
Independent
THE number of people signing on the dole in
Inishowen reached 2,979 in October, the highest
monthly total since December 1998 and the sixth
consecutive month of live register growth at the
Buncrana office.
While the number grew by 205, or 7%, over September,
it represents a massive 84% increase on October
2007. Nationally, the year-on-year increase is 60%,
while the county-wide increase is 58%.
And it has been among men that the effects of the
current economic downturn are most keenly being
felt. The number of men signing on has more than
doubled, from 949 in October 2007, to 2,022 last
month. The number of women signing on grew by 42%
over the past 12 months, from 674 in October 2007 to
957 last month.
The number of men signing on has grown in each of
the last 13 months, while the number of women has
decreased slightly since peaking at 1,006 last July.
Local organisations like the Inishowen Development
Partnership (IDP) are concerned at the sharp rise in
unemployment.
“It’s something we’re trying to address through
training and re-education programmes,” said Shauna
McClenaghan of the IDP. “Our Jobs Club has been very
busy, and we would particularly encourage people at
this time to return to education and training so as
to increase their employability.”
“The large year-on-year increase is concerning, but
hopefully the entrepreneurial spirit that is so
strong in Inishowen will help to carry us through
this difficult period.
Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has
called on the Government to provide education and
training for the unemployed.
“It is essential that the State introduces a
specific back to education scheme for construction
sector workers under the age of 25 without Leaving
Certificates,” he said. “The Taoiseach’s Department
estimates that under-25s represent 50.3% of the
total construction unemployment figure in 2007 and
2008 and that a large majority do not have a Leaving
Certificate.”
“It is also essential that training and upskilling
courses for alternative industries to construction
are provided.” |
