Over 12,000 Signing On in Cork East – ‘Jobs Policy Needed’ -Stanton

The number of people living in Cork East Constituency on the live register at the end of last year stood at 12080, says Fine Gael TD, David Stanton.

”Cork East Constituency, which I represent in Dail Eireann, covers parts of East and North Cork including Carrigtwohill, Cobh, Fermoy, Mallow, Midleton, Mitchelstown and Youghal.  The number of people signing on here has increased from 7345 in December 2008 to 12080 in December 2010.  This represents an increase of 64.9% over two years, well above the Cork County average of 61.6%.  This increase also does not take into account the tens of thousands emigrating.

”Despite emigration on a similar to scale to the 1980s, the number signing on in social welfare offices in Cobh, Fermoy, Mallow, Midleton and Youghal is continuing to rise. There is a need to put in place policies that will lead to job creation and growth.  Our small businesses in particular need support and opportunities.

”Young people under 25 in the Cork East area are also finding it very difficult, with 1866 now on the live register.  People this age are one of the main age groups being forced to emigrate in search for work. Employment and training policies must be developed to stop this talent ‘brain drain’, which will prove very costly to our economy for many years.

”Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that 437,079 people were on the live register at the end of 2010.  The national standardised unemployment rate now stands at 13.4%.  Anyone interested in seeing how Fine Gael plan to address our economic problems can go to my website at http://stanton.ie/2010/12/06/fine-gael-budget-2011-and-4-year-plan/