Unemployment figures in parts of Ballyfermot are twice the national average
By Maurice Garvey
UNEMPLOYMENT in parts of Ballyfermot is twice the national average – a worrying statistic backed up by increasing live register figures in the area over the last six months.
Latest CSO figures for 2016 reveal the average unemployment rate in local authority areas around the country to be 12.9 per cent – a figure that climbs to as high as 26.5 per cent in parts of Cherry Orchard and Kylemore.
Live register figures released for May, indicate there were 2,337 people unemployed in Ballyfermot.
Males make up the majority of those on the live register – 1,544 males compared to 793 females.
The electoral division in Ballyfermot with the highest rate of unemployment was Cherry Orchard A – with a percentage of 26.5 in 2016, whilst the Cherry Orchard C division has an unemployment rate of 24.3 per cent in 2016.
In better news, every electoral area of Ballyfermot, has significantly decreased the levels of unemployment from the CSO Census in 2011.
In 2011, unemployment in Cherry Orchard A and C stood at 37 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.
According to the CSO figures, Kylemore had an unemployment rate of 26 per cent in 2016 – down from 34 per cent in 2011.
Carna reported a 24 per cent unemployment rate in 2016 – down from 33 per cent in 2011
The electoral areas of both Decies and Drumfinn had an unemployment rate of 23 per cent in 2016 – down from 32 per cent and 29 per cent respectively in 2011.
Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said the figures indicate government job policies “are clearly not working.”
“ They have failed the people of Ballyfermot. Providing training and jobs must now become a priority. I am calling on all public reps, regardless of political party, to work together to tackle unemployment here in Ballyfermot.
“I will be ensuring that proper training and jobs will be at the centre of the new development plan for Cherry Orchard. Dublin City Council have employed consultants to meet with the community to draw up this plan. I will be meeting with them as a matter of urgency to discuss a jobs plan for Cherry Orchard.”
