August 6
250 Jobs created by ABIOMED but 20,392 jobs lost in 2008 to date
There was some positive jobs news for Athlone, Co Westmeath with the announcement that ABIOMED will create 250 new jobs in the region. ABIOMED is a US medical technology manufacturer specialising in cardiac technology. These new Irish operations will manufacture a new line of products for the American market and create a source a high skilled job opportunities for the region.
This news was somewhat overshadowed with DETE figures released indication our worst fears. The Irish jobs market is in freefall. 20,392 people have lost their jobs in 2008 with as much as 20% of this figure in July alone. Reports indicate that the major cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford have been hardest hit with other counties Louth and Monaghan with significant job losses.
As far as gender job loss is concerned the male population is taking a harder hit which is no surprise really considering the decline of the construction sector. 13,861 men lost their jobs during this period and 6,531 women lost their jobs.