Chief Whip Welcomes Continued Jobs Growth

Government Chief Whip and Minister of State, Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D. today welcomed the continued growth in the numbers of those employed as reflected in the latest quarterly figures from the CSO.

“Within an EU context, our growth rate continues to be strong. Growth in the numbers employed in the construction industry has declined modestly, but we are seeing significant growth in financial and other business services as well as wholesale and retail sale. This is broadly in line with what we are seeing as a rebalancing of the economy, with the focus turning away from the construction industry as the main source of growth. We also continue to see a significant increase in the numbers of those self-employed” said Minister Kitt.

“I am encouraged by the dramatic increase in the financial and business sector (consultancy, marketing ) and the wholesale and retail sector. These areas combined constitute 60% of the growth in employment.

Just last week we had the news that Microsoft is bringing in new high–end jobs with a €500 million investment, and AIB are planning more jobs in North Dublin.”

Minister Kitt also welcomed the decline in the seasonally-adjusted rate of unemployment from 4.5% to 4.4%.

The Quarterly National Household Survey figures released today show that there were 2,140,900 in employment in the state representing an increase of 68,000 or 3.3% in the year or 3.9%. 54.4% of this growth can be attributed to growth in the numbers of those in part-time employment.