Women over 25 are not gaining from jobs surge

The number of people out of work in Galway City has fallen by more than 850 over the past year — and by almost 2,000 in the county as a whole.

Latest figures show a small rise over the previous month in the numbers on the Live Register in the city at the end of January, but a reduction of almost one-tenth since this time last year.

But the data from the Central Statistics Office indicates that most areas of the county are continuing to enjoy a faster rate of recovery than the city.

And Galway West Independent TD Noel Grealish has pointed to what he said is the continuing worrying situation of women aged over 25 in particular on the dole, highlighted by the latest figures.

The total number of people on the Live Register in the whole of Galway at the end of January stood at 16,177, down 1,975 (10.9%) on January 2015, but an increase of 117 on the December 2015 total.

In the city, the total number on the Live Register was 8,147, down by 9.5% on this time last year, and up by just over 100 (1.3%) on December figures.

Deputy Grealish highlighted the age difference in the employment recovery in Galway … and particularly in the case of women over 25.

He said that under 25s of both sexes continue to have the best of things, with a 25% reduction in unemployment in Galway City, compared with a more modest 7.3% among over 25s.

“But the contrast is even more stark when you look at the difference between younger women and women aged 25 and over.

“Galway City women aged under 25 have seen a welcome 25.5% reduction in unemployment since this time last year – but those aged over 25 have only seen a 5.3% drop.

“That would clearly indicate that there are particular barriers faced by women aged over 25 in getting back to work, and their situation has even disimproved since the previous Live Register figures were released last month.

“The high cost of childcare is likely to be one of the factors at play here and something that we need to look at.

“For many families it’s the equivalent of paying a second mortgage and they have to make the decision that one partner, usually the woman, must stay at home,” added Deputy Grealish.