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Grim job outlook for 2009

Saturday, 20 December 2008

DOLE queues in three Northside social welfare offices have grown by over 4,000 people in the past 12 months. The grim reality of the recession has seen a massive jump of over 60 per cent in the number of people signing on at Finglas social welfare office in the past year. There has also been a 40 per cent increase in the number of people signing on at Ballymun, with a similar hike in numbers signing on at North Cumberland Street, the social welfare office that covers Beaumont, Santry, Whitehall and Drumcondra. According to local TD, Róisín Shortall (Lab), the Christmas season will be one filled with money worries for many Northside families. “These figures are very worrying,’ she said. “The jobless figures started to increase dramatically late last year and have risen steadily since then. It is disturbing to see so many local families affected by the downturn and it is a crushing blow for so many to be out of work at Christmas time. “Local FAS, social welfare staff, and community welfare officers have told me that they are struggling to keep up with the number of new people coming to them to seek assistance.” She added: “Unfortunately, all indications are that things are likely to get much worse after Christmas, unless something is done.” Local Finglas councillor Dessie Ellis (SF) said many of his constituents are facing a difficult Christmas. “There are many people I know that will have it very tough over the next few weeks and months,” he told Northside People. “I fear things will only get worse before they get better and that we are in for an even rougher new year. “My biggest worry is for those who have taken out big loans in recent years. Although the unemployment rate might be as high as it was in the 80s, repayments on borrowings was not an issue back then as it is now. “I feel particularly sorry for first time house buyers who have taken out substantial 100 per cent mortgages, despite the reduction in interest, the money they are faced with paying back in this time of instability is incredibly tough.” Meanwhile the situation is just as bleak in Dublin 15 for the almost 5,500 people who are now on the dole. In Blanchardstown, for the month of October alone, 230 people lost their jobs. According to Live Register statistics, there has been a 60 per cent increase on the numbers joining queues in the local social welfare office.