Kilkenny TD welcomes significant increase in employment figures

The South East region saw employment grow by 9.3 per cent last year and by 34% over the past 10 years, according to figures released by the CSO, according to Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan.

A record 2.48 million people are now at work, close to the 2.5 million target set in the Economic Recovery Plan published by the Tánaiste last year, Deputy Phelan added.

Despite the imposition of restrictions at the end of last year, 17,500 jobs were still added in October, November and December.

Deputy Phelan said: “It’s really encouraging to see South East region which is heavily dependent on tourism grow employment and add 17,500 jobs over the course of 2021. In fact, all 8 regions in Ireland recorded strong employment growth. Employment outside of Dublin increased by 156,800 or 9.7%.

“Balanced regional development is a priority for this government. The pandemic and Brexit remain risk factors for the year ahead and the Government will be monitoring the situation closely, but we have grounds to be hopeful. These impressive jobs figures are a testament to the exceptional levels of financial support the Government has provided workers and businesses over the last two years.

“A new record high in female participation suggests that remote working may have made our jobs market more accessible, creating greater opportunity for participation, now and in the future. 

“Last week, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister Damien English and Minister Robert Troy launched the first of nine regional enterprise plans in Nenagh.

“In the coming weeks, a dedicated regional enterprise plan for the South East will be unveiled.

“These are bottom-up, community-led plans that will be backed up by up to €180 million in funding from government to boost regional development”, Deputy Phelan concluded.

A closer look at data from the South East shows employment grew from 153,400 at the start of 2012 to 188,100 at the end of 2020. It grew further to 205,600 at the end of 2021. This shows an annual change of 17,500 to the end of 2021 and an increase of 52,200 between the start of 2012 and the end of 2021.

Each of the nine regional plans have been developed throughout 2021 by Regional Steering Committees, chaired by a senior figure from the private sector and includes the Enterprise Agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices, Local Authorities, Regional Assemblies, higher and further education bodies and others.