Record numbers of people at work in the State – Garret Ahearn

Fine Gael Candidate for Tipperary Garret Ahearn has said the number of people at work in the State is now almost 20,000 higher than it was before the crash.

2.2 million people are now at work in the country according to the latest CSO figures. This surpasses the previous employment peak in 2007 by over 25,000, meaning that all of the jobs lost in the economic catastrophe suffered by this country have now been restored. Over 129,000 jobs have been created in every part of the country since this Government was formed in 2016.

Garret Ahearn said: “ Tipperary is benefitting as unemployment has decreased in every single region of the country. Restoration of jobs lost in the crash was Fine Gael’s principle aim when we took office at the peak of the employment crisis. There are over 74,000 more people at work since this time last year. Our enterprise-based economy is now creating over 1,000 jobs a week. Since the Government was formed in 2016, 58% of new jobs have been created outside of Dublin. Only a strong economy supporting people at work can provide the public services needed to deliver the kind of society we all want to live in. The buoyant jobs markets means that 30,000 people in part time jobs have moved into full time jobs For the individual themselves, returning to work after a period of unemployment can boost a person’s confidence and self-belief. It is also great news for communities across Tipperary, as every job created has a positive knock on effect for local businesses and services."

Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe said: “We have now seen 24 consecutive quarters of employment growth and crucially, that employment remains broad-based, with annual gains recorded in most sectors and regions. With employment at its highest level ever recorded and the economy approaching full-employment we must also be alive to the capacity constraints that may present in some sectors, which could lead to overheating in the economy. As set out in the Summer Economic Statement, the Government is mindful that budgetary policy is not pro-cyclical. We will adopt steady, incremental and sustainable policies that continue to deliver improvements in public services and a robust economy now and into the future.”