Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department have analysed the increased number of people on the live register to determine the industries and categories of worker which are being affected the most; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8441/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Social and Family Affairs maintains the Live Register. The total number of people recorded on the Live Register for January 2008 is 181,449. The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment benefit.

Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey, collated and published by the Central Statistics Office. The most recent Quarterly National Household Survey, Quarter 3, 2007 indicates that employment has increased by 67,600 in the year. Employment growth has occurred in practically all sectors over the past year with a drop showing in two sectors in the most recent quarter — (i) agriculture, forestry and fishing and (ii) transport, storage and communication. The unemployment rate is currently at 4.7%, down from 4.8% in the same period last year.

The predictions for the medium term are for continued employment growth, albeit at a slower pace than that experienced to date.

Data available for 2007 and January 2008 on redundancy claims, by sector, are set out in the following table:

For those who become unemployed, in any sector, the range of services provided by FÁS will be available. This will include active engagement with persons on the live register with the objective of helping them to obtain jobs either directly or through further training, education or work experience.

FÁS is also placing particular emphasis on the training of low skilled workers in vulnerable industries. This is to ensure that in the event of becoming unemployed, they will have the skills necessary to make the transition to other employment.

The development agencies, including IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards will continue to promote job creation through the delivery of programmes to assist the enterprise sector to develop.