Tom McEnroeTom McEnroeEures Adviser - Midlands Region Eures Adviser - Midlands Region

IrelandIreland

Ireland’s Demography (2007)

Total Population 4.3 million

Population Aged 15+ 3.7 million

Labour Force 2.223 million

Unemployment Rate 2007 4.7%

Unemployment Rate (Dec 2008) 8.3%

Unemployment Dec. 2009 9.2% + Forecast as high as 450,000 persons by end

of 2009

Employment Growth 1998-2007

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

000s

- 100

- 50

0

50

100

150

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

000s

But the Irish economy is changing…

Employment Growth 1996-2009

Economic Environment• Several factors slowing economic growth

- International Factors

- Strong Euro

- Credit Crunch

- Collapse in the Housing Sector

- Fall in Retail Sales

- Consumer Confidence

• This has resulted in recent job losses in construction, transport, financial services, manufacturing, retail sales etc.

Unemployment Rising Rapidly

Live Register

150000

170000

190000

210000

230000

250000

Jan-02 Sep-02 May-03 Jan-04 Sep-04 May-05 Jan-06 Sep-06 May-07 Jan-08 Sep-08

Activity Focus for 2009-2010

Information events for non Irish nationals recently unemployed to assist them return home or move on to another EEA country with employment.

Recruitment events for employers, both Irish and non Irish, with overseas vacancies in EEA and other locations.

Recruitment events for Irish employers with specific skills needs.

Information events in other EEA countries on Ireland, the Irish labour market and its needs.

Unemployed Persons Entitlements• Job Seekers Allowance - UA (2 yrs resident) €204.30 • Job Seekers Benefit - UB• Rent Allowance• Fuel Allowance• Family Income Supplement• Medical Card – doctor & medicines• Free Optical & dental benefits• Free Education - primary, secondary, 3rd. level• Access to FÁS www.fas.ie training courses & services• Example :–

Married Man (wife + 3 children ) €417.week + above