Emer Gallagher
THERE has been a 33 per cent rise in the number of people on the Live Register in County Mayo in the last 12 months, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office last week.
The latest figures show that a total of 6,576 people were on the dole in the county in June, an increase of 9.6 per cent on figures for the previous month.
And the figures once again emphasise the large numbers out of work in Ballina, with 26 per cent of the county’s unemployed living in the north Mayo capital (I,704). Indeed, if figures from the Swinford area are coupled with Ballina, then 40 per cent of the county’s unemployed live in the combined Ballina and Swinford region.
The figures form part of the largest ever monthly increase in the Live Register statistics, with a total of 220,811 now out of work, a ten-year high.
Worryingly, Claremorris saw an increase of over 65 per cent signing-on in the last 12 months, with 248 more signing on in the town last month compared to May of last year.
James Kean, Claremorris Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber were looking at possible ways of attracting more employment into the town but in light of the current economic climate it would not be an easy task.
“It is always worrying for us if there is unemployment but the way things are going nationally with the economic downturn it was bound to affect all the country and Claremorris is no different,” said Mr Kean. “This year is proving more difficult and hopefully this trend won’t continue.”
Mr Kean said the Chamber were not aware of an unemployment crisis in the town and that seasonal factors could be to blame for the higher numbers signing-on in the town last month.
Ballina Dáil Deputy Dara Calleary said that while the figures were regrettable it was important to recognise that unemployment was not just a Mayo problem. The Fianna Fáil TD highlighted the importance of continually selling Ballina and Mayo as employment destinations and said the arrival of gas in Ballina had come at an opportune time. “The arrival of the gas in Ballina couldn’t have come at a better time. With fuel prices so high those who are considering the town as an employment centre now have a choice and the profits at the end of the year will determine whether or not a town will be chosen.
“My aim is to maximise Mayo as an employment destination and I never miss an opportunity to sell Mayo.”
Deputy Calleary said that Ballina and the rest of the county would be prepared when an employment opportunity arose and all efforts would be made to secure employment for the county on an ongoing basis.
