The number of people signing on the Live Register in Wicklow has dropped by 18% in the last year, Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Andrew Doyle has said.
Unemployment has fallen steadily from a peak of 16% in 2012 to 6% in February 2018. Ireland is a stable, competitive, secure economy that is open for business.
Minister Doyle said: “It is very positive to see that the number of people signing on the Live Register in Wicklow has reduced significantly in the last year.
“Furthermore, since Fine Gael’s Action Plan for Jobs was launched in February 2012, the Wicklow Live Register has decreased locally by 18%. This is 1454 people who are back making a living, to the benefit of themselves, their families and the local communities in which they live.
“We can see clearly that the Action Plan for Jobs is continuing to work. Recent jobs data indicates that there are 48,100 more people at work since this time last year. Our enterprise-based economy is now creating over 900 jobs a week.
“Fine Gael is committed to driving this down further. Ireland is experiencing continued solid economic growth with 3.5% Real GDP growth forecast in 2018.
“This good news for Wicklow comes as the CSO revealed that the Live Register has fallen below 234,000 nationally, the lowest since 2008. This figure represents a year on year decrease of 14%.
“We will continue this success into the future because we are investing in our talented people, in our drive for innovation and in the future of our infrastructure.
“We are also investing in our future as a society, organised and resourced for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Project Ireland 2040 aims to ensure that Ireland is ready for the future with a society that has sustainable and balanced growth, nurtures talent, serves the welfare of our people, and offers opportunity for all.
“We are moving towards full employment and we will ensure that all parts of Ireland can share in our prosperity and economic growth, including here in Wicklow.”
