Figures highlight lack of job creation policy – Morgan

Speaking today after the release of the seasonally adjusted Live Register figures for July showed an increase of 8,500, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Arthur Morgan has said that the prognosis for economic recovery was dire, with no concrete job creation strategy on the horizon. Deputy Morgan also criticised the Government’s overall complacency over job creation with over 452,500 on the dole and the numbers increasing every month.

Deputy Morgan said:

“The prognosis for economic recovery is dire. In a single month 8,500 people have been forced to join the dole. This Government is redundant. Unemployment has reached its highest peak and there is no concrete job creation strategy on the horizon.

“Fianna Fáil cannot claim any economic competence when they are complacently presiding over increasing unemployment. The government is determined to slash public services and put even more people on the dole.

“The labour-market remains in free-fall but the Government is far too complacent about this. Unemployment is not a price worth paying for a negligent Government – it destroys lives and leaves permanent scars on our communities. What this Government fails to accept is that behind every statistic is a personal tragedy.

“This Government is adept at announcing schemes and new jobs, but their terrible record on actually creating these jobs is reflected in today’s jump in the Live Register. With over 620,000 jobs having been announced by the Government and associated agencies in the past year, why are there 452,500 people on the Live Register and why will 120,000 people emigrate by the end of 2011?

“The harsh reality is that this Government has underinvested in the public goods that support job growth – cuts to investment, infrastructure and capital spending have slashed opportunities for meaningful job creation. All they are capable of is well-fashioned publicity stunts that allude to job creation, but actually fail to deliver on these promises.

“Job losses continue to put a significant dent in income tax receipts, the most important tax heading, which have fallen 9% since July 2009. With more job losses, there will be little support for consumer spending over coming months, the domestic economy will be stunted in its recovery and further job losses will ensue. Nothing short of strategic job creation and stimulus by Government will change this bottom line.” ENDS