Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is astounding that the number of unemployed people in the south east rose from 181,300 in 2012 to 214,900 in 2017, an increase of 15.5%, whereas nationally unemployment rose by only 11.5% in the same period. Specific care, attention and extra resources are being given to the south east. The unemployment rate in the south east is still relatively high at 8.1% given that the national average is 6%.

In terms of the identification of unemployment black spots identified in the census, it is important to recognise that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection's services through the Intreo offices, jobs clubs, JobPath and other activation measures are focused on unemployed individuals as opposed to specific areas. This means that those areas where unemployed individuals are most concentrated get the most supports. That is currently what happens and it will continue to happen in the south east. We will work to ensure that the success realised in recent years in terms of the improvement of employment levels in Deputy Browne's area will continue. We will keep working until everybody who wants a job can get a job.

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