Good Summer takes 1,100 off the dole in Galway
A significant drop in the city’s jobless figures for the end of September has been attributed to our good Summer weather, the positive impact of The Gathering, a number of job scheme initiatives and a small recovery in consumer confidence.
The Live Register statistics for the end of last month showed a drop in the jobless numbers in the greater city area of 1,133 – down from 11,909 on August 31 last to 10,776 on September 30.
The ‘year on’ figures also reflect the same trend, with 847 fewer people signing on by the end of September, 2013, as compared to the same time last year – 11,623 down to 10,776.
Michael Coyle, CEO of Galway Chamber, said that without doubt, the combination of pleasant summer weather, the impact of The Gathering and the overall lively tourist season were contributory factors to the reduction in the jobless numbers.
“There have been very positive soundings from the hospitality sector over the summer and early autumn period – there is no doubt but that The Gathering has been a success, and the hospitality industry is very jobs intensive,” said Mr Coyle.
However, he added that there were concerns over the feared return of the 13% VAT rate (from its current 9%) for the hospitality sector in next week’s Budget.
“In a medium-sized restaurant, over the course of a year, that change in the VAT rate would equate to two jobs. Tax changes like that have a very direct impact on employment,” said Mr Coyle.
He said that while consumer confidence was still low, there were a few early signs of a slight recovery, while the October Budget would at least give certainty to consumers in the run-up to the peak pre-Christmas, New Year retail period.
“What we also want to see prioritised, are the key infrastructural projects for the Galway region such as the port development and the construction of the N17/N18 motorway,” said Mr Coyle.
City Mayor, Cllr Padráig Conneely, said there was a slow but gradual return of confidence that was beginning ‘to show some light at the end of the tunnel’.
“It has been a good summer and a busy tourism season while Government jobs initiatives are beginning to click in. These are small steps, but that’s the only way we’re going to get out of the difficult situation we found ourselves in,” said Mayor Conneely.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.