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Live Register Figures Down in Westmeath
Deputy Paul McGrath welcomed the recent 'Live Register' figures for unemployment which showed a total of 2,627 on the Register at the end of May.
"Unemployment figures for Westmeath have steadily declined and the present figure of 2,627 is the lowest for our county for many years," says Deputy McGrath.
"The comparable figures for May 1996 and May 1997 are 4721 and 4272 respectively. This represents a drop of 2094 persons (45%) in the five year period from 1996 to 2001.
"The breakdown of the 2001 figures show 1085 on the live register in Athlone, 1316 in Mullingar and 226 in Castlepollard.
"When we compare the Athlone figures with May 1996 we find that there were 2291 on the live register then and in the five year period these figures have fallen by 1206 or 52%.
"The Mullingar figures for the same five year period show a drop of 737 from 2053 to 1316 - a 36% reduction.
"The Castlepollard figures for the same five year period went down from 377 in May 1996 to 226 in May 2001. This is a fall of 151 or 40%.
"Growth in the economy and the creation of additional jobs have contributed to this huge increase in people at work in Westmeath," says Deputy McGrath.
"I also acknowledge the good work done by Leader, Westmeath Community Development, County Enterprise Board and other job facilitating agencies who have enabled many people to establish their own enterprises or expand their businesses," says Deputy McGrath.
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