(19 September 2013) – Ireland’s economy is now showing encouraging signs of recovery from the financial crisis, but more must be done to reinvigorate growth and create the jobs that will get the country back to full health, according to the OECD.
These are the key conclusions of the latest Economic Survey of Ireland and a new report: ‘Local Job Creation: How Employment and Training Agencies Can Help’. Both identify employment and social inclusion issues as vital to Ireland’s continuing rebound from the crisis, its prospects of growth and the wellbeing of Irish people.
While the unemployment rate recently began to decline, joblessness remains a serious concern, according to the report. More than 13% of the labour force remains unemployed, with more than 60% out of work for more than 12 months, among the highest rates in the OECD. Young people have been especially hard hit by the jobs crisis. The youth unemployment rate is 28.6%, while the number of young people emigrating continues to mount.
The OECD recommends that Ireland do much more to assist the unemployed, notably long-term job-seekers. It points out a critical need for support and retraining, to ward against social exclusion and ensure that young people are prepared to work as the recovery strengthens.