Jobs crisis 'as bad as ever' as the latest jobless figures are published

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, reacting to the latest live register figures, has warned of Government complacency, saying that the stabilisation of the numbers signing on was "off the mark" and not indicative of the real unemployment situation. The association said the figures had reduced as a consequence of increased emigration and more individuals in State schemes and could not be seen as a reduction in job losses. The latest seasonally adjusted live register figures confirm that 432,400 people nationally are claiming assistance, down 2,300 on the previous month, but up 84,300 on the corresponding period last year, an increase of 24 per cent. ISME chief executive, Mark Fielding, warned the Government not to use the latest figures as part of a publicity stunt in attempting to argue that the labour market crisis has been averted. The reality within the small business sector is that the number of job losses continues to rise, with little or no job creation apparent within the sector, he said. "Our concern is that the Government will continue to abdicate its responsibility on foot of the latest figures, which do not tell the full story. What is still urgently required is a comprehensive plan to address the causes behind the job losses, namely the business cost environment and the lack of accessible finance," Mr Fielding added. "Somebody at Government level needs to realise that stemming job losses is crucial to any future economic revival. With numerous businesses closing on a daily basis, it is essential that a national employment emergency plan is immediately introduced to stem the tide of unemployment. Unfortunately, the longer the Government does nothing, the longer the uncertainty will exist in the jobs market and the longer the recession in Ireland will last," he concluded. He said the live register statistics remained worrying and were an indication that the economy is still on the slide. "The Government has completely taken their eye off the ball with regard to the growing unemployment problem. They seem to be more interested in saving the banks than saving other businesses. Small business, the backbone of the economy, is being starved of supports and is consequently shedding jobs left, right and centre." He said small business employers are crying out for measures to address the situation and provide them with an alternative to redundancies. "What is urgently required are initiatives to address the cost of labour and specific targeted funding for labour intensive businesses. This could include PRSI relief for employers, expansion of the Employment Subsidy Scheme and targeted action to reduce business costs to improve SME competitiveness."