Live Register figures still rising

THE amount of people signing on in Clare increased by just over 400 last month, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

There were 10,796 people signing on last month, with 6,215 in Ennis, 1,552 in Ennistymon, 1,493 in Kilrush and 1,536 in Tulla. There had been 10,379 signing on the previous month, while in July, there were increases at all centres around the county, most notably in Ennis, which jumped by 242.
There were 299 more people signing on in July, compared to the same month last year, while the figure was up by over 4,700 on July 2008, when it was 6,023. In July 2007, the month when then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he didn’t understand how people complaining about the economy didn’t commit suicide, the amount signing on in Clare was just 4,421.
Clare TD Pat Breen said there needs to be a meaningful Government effort to tackle the jobs crisis.
“Nationally, over 13% of people are out of work and the figure is going up again in the Mid-West and there doesn’t seem to be any plan. The banks are not lending to small and medium-sized businesses. Young people are seeing no future in this country and are opting to emigrate. It’s a sad reflection on this society and it’s a challenge that has to be faced. The Government have to develop a plan and I think it has to be done in conjunction with the banks.”
He suggested exemptions from VAT for people building extensions to their homes, as one step that could boost the construction sector.
Rita McInerney of Ennis Chamber said businesses need a certain amount of support to cope.
“It’s disappointing to see the numbers signing on increasing, although the rate of job losses seems to be slowing. There are at least 32 new businesses after opening in Ennis Town Centre in the last six months. That’s positive but you’d have to look at the reasons why they set up as well. It may be that people have lost jobs and feel they have to create a business for themselves and their families. The first five years is a volatile time for a new business and in neighbouring places, there have been cases of businesses being given reductions in rent for the first year.”
The total number signing on in the Mid-West in July was 41,614.