1. Ireland and the Anti Crisis Measures
Presentation to Group 2 EESC
28 February 2012
Dr. Peter Rigney
Irish Congress of Trade Unions

2. Demand and Growth

3. Unemployment 2007 unemployment 4.5% 2011 unemployment 14.2%
Participation rate men 67.7% women 52.6%
Long term unemployment
December %
December %

4. Migration
Immigration post % of Irish population non Irish EU citizens
December 2011 Irish nationals account for 82.5% of unemployed people
2011 out migration UK
Canada 7500 ( est)
Australia 7421
USA 17750

5. Poverty At risk of poverty 2009 14.1% 2010 15.8%
In 2010 if all social transfers were excluded the at risk of poverty rate would be 51.0%, compared to 39.8% in 2004.
This shows increasing dependence of individuals on social transfers to remain above the at risk of poverty threshold.
2009 deprivation rate 17%
2010 deprivation rate 23%
This increase was largely attributable to an increase in the deprivation rate, of those NOT at risk of poverty, from 13.7% in 2009 to 19.3% in 2010 while there was no significant change in the deprivation rate for those at risk of poverty. Consistent poverty rate 6.2% in 2010, no significant change on 2009

6. Income Minimum wage €8.65 per hours
3.1% of employed labour force on minimum wage
Public service cut
5% first 30, % next 40,000 10% cut next 55,000
Average hourly earnings
Q €21.54 Q €21.64