Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons employed in the economy at the end of quarter four in 2010; the number employed at the end of quarter one in 2011; the number employed at the end of quarter two 2011; the estimated number of persons that have emigrated in each of these quarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28951/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The latest quarterly national household survey, published by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, on 15 September, shows that 1,823,200 people were in employment at the end of the fourth quarter 2010. At the end of the first quarter of 2011, 1,804,200 people were in employment. At the end of the second quarter of 2011, the numbers in employment had increased to 1,821,300. This increase of 17,100 is the first increase of significant scale. It is influenced by seasonal factors. However, even on a seasonal basis it represents an increase in private sector employment for the first time since the recession started.

Data on emigration is available from the CSO only on an annual basis. Net emigration in the year to April 2011 was 34,100, similar to the level in 2010. However, gross emigration in the year to 2011 was 76,400, an increase of almost 11,000 on the previous 12 months. Almost half of these were non-Irish nationals, reflecting the diversity of our population and labour force in recent years.

Net migration has always been a characteristic of Ireland's labour force. Movements reflect the state of the Irish labour market and the availability of job opportunities. The past three years have seen a major loss of employment which has been reflected in rising outflows and falling inward movements.

The slowdown and reversal of the employment trends in the course of 2011 is encouraging. However, the recovery is fragile. This is why the Government has set economic recovery and job creation at the heart of its work programme. This drives the work of my Department and other key Departments, as we seek to provide a better future for our young people and our society.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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It would appear from the figures given by the Minister, in which he takes a great deal of satisfaction, that fewer people are in employment now than when the Government introduced its jobs initiative. When the initiative was introduced the rate of unemployment stood at 14.2% while now it stands at 14.4%.

What percentage of those on the live register have been unemployed for more than a year? What percentage of the total unemployment figure comprises the under-25 age group?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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With respect, the Deputy's original question related to the number of people at work and that is the data with which I provided him. I do not have to hand the percentages he is seeking on those out of work.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Minister make an educated guess as to the figures?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not regard these figures as a cause for great adulation. However, in the past three years when the Deputy's party was in government, 350,000 jobs were lost. While the small increase of 17,000 jobs in the last quarter does not represent a source of great joy, it shows the labour market is stabilising. I am also encouraged by growth trends in exports and manufacturing output and other significant indicators of a pick-up. This is a fragile recovery and more will have to be done to bolster our efforts in this area.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Minister accept his jobs initiative has failed? In net terms, no new jobs have been created while the unemployment rate has gone up. Will the Minister agree it is not too far off the mark to say one in two on the live register has been unemployed for more than 12 months? Am I far off the mark saying youth unemployment now stands at over 30%? Will the Minister agree every projected rate for economic growth over the next two years will still be insufficient in creating more employment?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is not correct as most forecasters are predicting a turnaround in employment. Growth projections are fragile and are very uncertain. The job trends are not evidence than the jobs initiative is not working. Up to 17,100 extra people are at work at the end of September compared to the end of June. The jobs initiative began in July, so the employment trends do not prove it has been a failure.

The jobs initiative includes various schemes, such as Jobstart, involving 2,000 people, and Springboard, with 6,000 in education projects, which are recording successes.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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They are not jobs, however.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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All I am giving the Deputy is what he asked for in his question. I am not trying to be smart in pretending there are successes through some subterfuge. These figures are signs of a fragile recovery and need to be built on.