James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she will take to deal with the rise in unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17435/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Unemployment has increased by 15,200 in the three-year period since 2004 and must be seen in the context of the substantial increase in employment by 242,500 in the same period. The number of people currently in employment is 2,138,900. It is generally accepted that the strong rate of growth experienced over the past few years could not continue and the economy is now entering a period of adjustment. Employment is forecast to grow by over 1% (24,000) in 2008.

Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey, published and collated by the CSO, rather than the Live Register which is not designed to measure unemployment. The Live Register includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment benefit. However, while the Live Register increased in the first three months of the year, data for April reflects a decrease of 2,349.

The actual rise in unemployment over the coming months will be determined by a number of factors including a possible decrease in participation and the response of migrants to the slowdown. In regard to the latter the ESRI expects inward migration to fall from 70,000 in 2007 to 20,000 in 2008. The trend in PPS numbers issued to persons from the EU12 continues to reflect a decline in the numbers entering the State.

The most recent FÁS/ESRI Employment and Vacancies Survey for March 2008 shows that the percentage of firms reporting vacancies across all sectors is 10%, indicating that there are still employment opportunities available.

The range of integrated support services provided by FÁS involving information sessions, skills analysis, training/retraining courses and job placement are available for those who become redundant because of company restructuring or closures. In the delivery of these services, FÁS liaises with other relevant agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the City/County Enterprise Boards and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There is also active engagement with the unemployed after 3 months on the live register to assist them progress towards employment, training or active labour market programmes.