Dublin, 8th May, 2012 – Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD and Total Defense Internet Security Ireland Limited, the Palo Alto, CA headquartered Internet security company, today announced it is establishing a European Operations Hub in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

21 people have been recruited to-date and it is anticipated the centre could grow to 100 people to support the company’s growing European business. Additional recruiting will be in the areas of inside sales, operations and customer support.  Total Defense is an IDA Ireland client company.

Formerly the Internet Security Business Unit of CA Technologies Inc, Total Defense, Inc. is now a leading developer and provider of anti-virus and anti-crimeware software for both business and consumer markets.

With a focus on both the consumer and SME markets, Total Defense’s product lines cover every device from desktop to mobile with multi-layered solutions for endpoints, networks and groupware systems.  Total Defense was ranked as the sixth largest retailer of consumer security products in the US by the NPD Group in 2011 and its Internet Security Suite won a 2012 Global Excellence Award in March 2012.

Making the announcement Minister Bruton said “A key part of this Government’s strategy for jobs and growth is to target sectors and niches with particularly high prospects for growth. Internet security is one such sector, and today’s announcement that Total Defense, a world-leading company in this area, is joining the list of companies choosing Ireland, with the creation of 100 jobs, is great news.

“As I travelled around the USA last week talking to potential investors I was struck by the positive sentiment towards Ireland and the number of considering specific plans to locate jobs in Ireland. With the right moves I am convinced that we can continue to attract companies like Total Defense and create the jobs we so badly need”, continued Minister Bruton.

“We are very excited about our expansion into the European market and Dublin will be at the very centre of our new business generation and support” said Chris Hickey, President of Total Defense.  “We are impressed by the quality and depth of the talent pool and the strength of the software industry in Ireland, which coupled with the partnership of IDA Ireland, made the decision to locate our European Operations Hub here, the right one for the future of the company.”

Welcoming the announcement, IDA Ireland CEO, Barry O’Leary said “Total Defense is an excellent addition to the thriving cluster of global anti-virus software companies operating in Ireland.  The Dublin base will be integral to the company’s European expansion plans.”

ABOUT TOTAL DEFENSE, INC.

Total Defense Internet Security Ireland Limited, the leading provider of solutions to combat the growing threat of cybercrime, protects over 40,000 businesses and over 4 million consumers from the growing epidemic of cybercrime and malware.  We provide multiple layers of digital security through desktop, mobile device, web gateway and cloud based solutions.  We go “beyond protection” by ensuring our customers receive the level of service and support they require in an ever changing threat landscape.  Total Defense is a former business of CA Technologies, one of the largest information technology companies in the world.  Our major centers of operation are in New York, Silicon Valley, India, and Europe.

Investment expected to generate more than 500 jobs in Ireland by 2016

DUBLIN and PITTSBURGH, April 18, 2012 – Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL) and the IDA Ireland today announced an important investment initiative to expand Mylan’s operations in Dublin and Galway. Through Mylan’s annual investment of up to €76 million ($100 million) over the next five years, including funding for expanded research and development (R&D) capabilities, and support from the Irish government through IDA, Mylan will add more than 500 new positions to its Ireland-based workforce by 2016. Mylan currently is the largest generics pharmaceutical manufacturer in Ireland and one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. The IDA is the Irish agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to the country.

Taoiseach Kenny said: “Mylan’s decision to expand in both Dublin and Galway is most welcome news. Mylan is a key member of the Irish pharmaceutical sector and one of the top suppliers in the country, providing the market with high quality generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medicines. Today’s announcement, in addition to the company’s proven, 25-year track record as a top employer and reliable exporter in Ireland, demonstrates Mylan’s commitment to its Irish operations and recognition for the capabilities of its talented workforce. I would like to offer continued support of the Irish government, and IDA Ireland, to Mylan as it continues to grow in our country and as it further serves as an innovative contributor to the Irish economy.’’

Mylan CEO Heather Bresch said: ‘‘This investment in Mylan’s Irish operations and the growth of our capabilities in the country demonstrate our continued commitment to and confidence in our respiratory franchise and injectables platform, both of which are among Mylan’s many long-term growth drivers. Ireland also has proven to be a valuable location for Mylan, providing the company with access to a skilled and highly educated workforce that shares our strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. I would like to thank Taoiseach Kenny, Richard Bruton, Ireland’s minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, along with IDA Ireland, for all of their support. Importantly, I’d also like to recognize Mylan’s employees in Ireland for their hard work and dedication to our continued success.’’

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said: “The life sciences industry is a key part of this government’s strategy for jobs and growth. Employing approximately 50,000 people here directly, the sector is a major strength in Ireland, but we must build on this. Today’s announcement that Mylan, already a very important part of this sector, is expanding with the creation of over 500 jobs is a massive boost for the country. Through continued implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs, I am determined to ensure that we can see more announcements like this around the country over the coming years.”

Mylan currently employs about 700 people at its facilities in Ireland. The planned expansion of Mylan’s operations in Ireland involves R&D and manufacturing capabilities within the company’s respiratory, injectables and oral solids franchises.

IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary said: “The expansion of Mylan’s operations in Ireland is an extremely positive development for Ireland’s life sciences sector. These projects meet with key objectives of IDA Ireland’s strategy Horizon 2020 to create high quality life sciences jobs. I wish Mylan every success with this operation and on behalf of IDA Ireland look forward to continuing to work closely and support the company in the future.’’

Of the 500 Mylan jobs to be added by 2016, about 220 will be based in Galway with the remainder in Dublin.

In addition to the financial incentives provided by the IDA, Udaras Na Gaeltachta, a regional economic development agency that provides specialized support for Irish-speaking communities, assisted with the support of these expansion efforts.

Mylan’s operations in Ireland include Gerard Laboratories and Bioniche Pharma. The global company ranks among the leading generic and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world and provides products to customers in approximately 150 countries and territories. The company maintains one of the industry’s broadest and highest quality product portfolios supported by a robust product pipeline; operates one of the world’s largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers; and runs a specialty business focused on respiratory, allergy and psychiatric therapies. For more information about Mylan, please visit www.mylan.com.

The total number of jobs advertised online has increased by 4pc, driven by certain sectors achieving large gains, the IrishJobs.ie Jobs Index for the first quarter of 2012 reveals.

The 4pc increase follows a six-month decreasing trend in the previous two quarters. The sectors experiencing gains include production, manufacturing, materials (+82pc); science, pharmaceuticals and food (+52pc); banking and finance (+30pc); and engineering and utilities (+22pc). IT continues in a steady upward trend.

The IrishJobs.ie Jobs Index also reported sectors that experienced a decline in Q1 2012 compared with the previous quarter. The sectors that have seen a slump include telecoms (-55pc); transport and motor (-24pc); legal (-14pc); marketing (-14pc); publishing (-12pc); and retailing, wholesaling and purchasing (-11pc).

The IrishJobs.ie Jobs Index measures the number of jobs advertised online across the main recruitment websites in Ireland, serving as an indicator of jobs market trends in Ireland.

“The jobs picture overall is reasonably positive especially when considered in the context of an unemployment rate of above 14pc in Ireland,” said Dr Stephen Kinsella, lecturer in economics at the University of Limerick and author of the report.

“The IrishJobs.ie index is a good leading indicator of the state of the Irish labour market, because it gives a sense of what employers are expecting the future to look like.’’

Jobs in Ireland’s cities and counties

Relative to the second quarter of 2010, jobs in Dublin are showing a marked increase over time, but a sharp downturn relative to the last quarter, according to the IrishJobs.ie report.

In comparison to Dublin, jobs in Cork and Galway are surging ahead, while jobs in Limerick have fallen consistently and are consistently lower in absolute numbers than the other cities. Overall, the report reveals a mixed picture for Ireland’s cities, with some experiencing large increases, and others, sustained declines.

The IrishJobs.ie report looks at all corporate jobs advertised on IrishJobs.ie and Jobs.ie between 1 January 2012 and 31 March 2012.

IDA Ireland today welcomed the decision by BlackRock Inc, (NYSE: BLK) the world’s largest asset manager, to open a new office in Ireland, housing over 25 employees.

BlackRock, which manages $3.5 trillion in assets and employs 10,100 people, is opening the office to serve its growing client base in Ireland. This client base is valued by BlackRock at over $5bn. BlackRock serves Irish retail clients, Irish financial institutions and Irish pension schemes.

BlackRock is a worldwide investment manager, headquartered in New York, and its new Dublin office will be in Grand Mill Quay, Dublin.

IDA Ireland is targeting international financial services and investment management as key growth industries for Ireland.

IDA Ireland aims to use BlackRock as a key reference client in these endeavours.

BlackRock also recently been re-engaged to assist in the Prudential Capital Assessment Review `stress tests’ of Ireland’s financial institutions.

Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said:

“Financial services forms a major part of this Government’s plan for jobs and growth. Today’s announcement that BlackRock, a world leading company in the sector, has decided to establish an office and create jobs in Ireland, is another sign we are making progress in this sector. The Finance Bill will shortly implement significant measures to attract more international financial services jobs to Ireland, and this Government is determined that, by implementing the Action Plan for Jobs, this sector can play a major part in bringing jobs and recovery to Ireland”.

Commenting on the announcement, Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland said: “Financial services has been identified as a key growth area for Ireland’s economy. In that context, to see a world leading financial services company like BlackRock setting up an office in Dublin is extremely welcome and it should further enhance Ireland’s profile as a global investment hub”.

The Irish Times reports that two companies have announced the creation of 100 new jobs over the next three years. Irish medical devices firm ClearStream Technologies is to create 70 jobs in Wexford under a major expansion plan, while French financial software firm Murex has announced 30 new software jobs. Both companies already have a presence in Ireland.

The Irish Times reports that IDA-backed multinationals created 1,350 net new jobs in Ireland in 2010. The IDA’s interim statement for 2010 shows that multinationals supported by the government agency created 10,897 new jobs last year. Chief Executive Barry O’Leary said that about 9,545 jobs were lost in multinationals last year. He said some of the job losses were the result of closures announced in 2009, including that of PC maker Dell. The IDA said it hopes to bring in projects that will lead to the creation of 10,000 new jobs in 2011. It also hopes to bring in investments that will create 62,000 new jobs by 2014.

With the establishment of a new operations centre in Dublin Google is to create 200 jobs here in Ireland immediately.

The new Dublin-based operations centre will be focused on the search engine giant’s location-based products including Google Local and Google Maps.

These new jobs will bring the number of people employed in Dublin by Google to a total of 1700.

“Dublin is rapidly becoming the multilingual internet capital of Europe and Google is proud to be leading the charge on this and further increasing our presence here,” said David Martin, director, Geo Operations for Google in Europe.

Martin said that the Dublin operations centre will take care of its location-based services for the pan-European market and will be developed as a centre of excellence.

“Google Maps displays so much more than the geography of a place, and now incorporates rich data from thousands of sources in different languages from across the world and also includes local business listings.  This operations centre will help to manage these data sources to give Google Maps users even more local information than before,” he added.

Martin explained that the decision to open a European centre for its location-based service was due in part to the fact that increasing proliferation of smartphones and uptake of Google’s own Android operating system meant that more and more people are using Google Maps, its free Sat Nav service for Android, Street View and so on, and the aim is to provide information that is as accurate and up to date as possible.

“The operations centre will be based in Eastpoint Business Park and plans to be fully operational this year. Google is working with local staffing partners CPL and Manpower to recruit and potential employees will be expected to graduates with one or two years experience in their field and strong IT skills,” said Paul Sweetman, director of ICT Ireland.

“This investment by Google highlights the strength of Ireland’s ICT sector, proving Ireland continues to be the location of choice for major multinational corporations.

“The ICT sector is leading Ireland’s Smart Economy with seven of the top ten global ICT companies having a major presence here. In addition to the 200 jobs announced by Google today, over 2,000 new jobs in the ICT multinational sector have been announced since January 2010. In 2009, the indigenous software sector grew by 6pc in export value.”

The standardised unemployment rate in October was 12.5%.The drop in unemployment comes after 30 consecutive months of increases. The total Live Register figure for the October was 412,407, a drop of 7,447 on the previous month, but an increase of 161,727 year-on-year.

This is the first positive piece of news about Jobs in Ireland. It needs to be taken with the caution and understanding of the overall picture.

The Live register figures show 67,207 job losses year to date. Therefore we are far from what the news here and abroad are saying – that we are coming out of the recession. The reality is that we are at the bottom. And also – we will be happy if this really is the bottom. If this is not just a single month where unemployment growth paused for a month.

The following unemployment graph puts us well into the perspective – a reality check of the status of the economy.

The calendar quarter estimates for Q2 2009 (adjusted for seasonality) are:

Within the space of a month we had more recruitment industry activity than ever before in Ireland. Irish National Recruitment Federation had its Annual conference, and you can read about it on Jobs Blog. Microsoft organised the Recruitment Conference and a Tuesday Club, and both those are reviewed on the same site.

2 out of 3 recruiters in Ireland have lost their jobs since the recession started. Only the bare bones of the recruitment industry actually still exists.

Smart economists use recruitment figures as a barometer of the economy. What has been happening in the last 9 months is that about 1% of the workforce is made redundant and does not find the new job, hence goes on the dole.

The current predictions of the unemployment we are going to have in Ireland vary from 14% to 17%. The current trend puts us steady on 12% sometime next week. 15% in September and 17% at the end of the year. So we should reach that worst case predictions before the end of 2009.

In the same time there is no one predicting any recovery to start happening in January 2010. In the same time we expect the unemployment to miraculously stop growing. The reality is that all the signs are that the unemployment growth rate is steady. The last 9 months more or less each decreased the workforce for 1%. All the signs today show that the same is to continue for at least the end of the year. We might enter 2010 with one in five unemployment rate.

In the same time there are thousands of jobs in Ireland. Literally. And recruiters are finding it hard to fill those jobs. Employers are expecting the highest quality candidates ever. The number of skills are still in extreme shortage in Ireland. In fact Google announced recently that they are pulling about 1000 jobs out of their Irish operation centre, simply because they have not been able to find people with skills they are looking for here.

If you are looking for a job today, get ready and get organised.
It is not going to be easy and it’s not going to be quick to get another job for the most. Prepare mentally for the wage drop. In the similar level to the house price drop, or even more in some industries.

Get your CV ready, go and look at the jobs available, and do not only send you CV to the employers, but do call them, talk to them and present yourself in your best. Remember – there really are thousands of jobs available today in Ireland!

Euro area unemployment up to 9.2%
EU27 up to 8.6%
The euro area1 (EA16) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate2 was 9.2% in April 2009, compared with 8.9% in March3. It was 7.3% in April 2008. The EU271 unemployment rate was 8.6% in April 2009, compared with 8.4% in March3. It was 6.8% in April 2008. For the euro area this is the highest rate since September 1999, and for the EU27 since January 2006.
Eurostat estimates that 20.825 million men and women in the EU27, of which 14.579 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in April 2009. Compared with March, the number of persons unemployed increased by 556 000 in the EU27 and by 396 000 in the euro area. Compared with April 2008, unemployment went up by 4.653 million in the EU27 and by 3.100 million in the euro area.

These figures are published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.
Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in the Netherlands (3.0%) and Austria (4.2%), and the highest rates in Spain (18.1%), Latvia (17.4%) and Lithuania (16.8%).
Compared with a year ago, two Member States recorded a fall in their unemployment rate and twenty-five Member States an increase. The falls were observed in Romania (6.1% to 5.8% between the fourth quarters of 2007 and 2008) and Greece (7.9% to 7.8% between the fourth quarters of 2007 and 2008). The highest increases were registered in Lithuania (4.3% to 16.8%), Latvia (6.1% to 17.4%) and Estonia (3.7% to 13.9%).
Between April 2008 and April 2009, the unemployment rate for males rose from 6.6% to 8.9% in the euro area and from 6.3% to 8.6% in the EU27. The female unemployment rate increased from 8.2% to 9.4% in the euro area and from 7.3% to 8.5% in the EU27.
In April 2009, the youth unemployment rate (under-25s) was 18.5% in the euro area and 18.7% in the EU27. In April 2008 it was 14.7% in both zones. The lowest rate was observed in the Netherlands (6.0%), and the highest rates in Spain (36.2%) and Latvia (29.2% in the first quarter of 2009).
In April 2009, the unemployment rate was 8.9% in the USA. In Japan it was 4.8% in March 2009.

1.
The euro area (EA16) consists of Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.
The EU27 includes Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), the Czech Republic (CZ), Denmark (DK), Germany (DE), Estonia (EE), Ireland (IE), Greece (EL), Spain (ES), France (FR), Italy (IT), Cyprus (CY), Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Hungary (HU), Malta (MT), the Netherlands (NL), Austria (AT), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Slovenia (SI), Slovakia (SK), Finland (FI), Sweden (SE) and the United Kingdom (UK).
2.
Eurostat produces harmonised unemployment rates for individual EU Member States, the euro area and the EU. These unemployment rates are based on the definition recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The measurement is based on a harmonised source, the European Union Labour Force Survey (LFS).
Based on the ILO definition, Eurostat defines unemployed persons as persons aged 15 to 74 who:
- are without work;
- are available to start work within the next two weeks;
- and have actively sought employment at some time during the previous four weeks.
The unemployment rate is the number of people unemployed as a percentage of the labour force. The labour force is the total number of people employed plus unemployed.
The numbers of unemployed and the monthly unemployment rates are estimates based on results of the LFS which is a continuous household survey carried out in Member States on the basis of agreed definitions. These results are interpolated/extrapolated to monthly data using national survey data and/or national monthly series on registered unemployment. The most recent figures are therefore provisional; results from the Labour Force Survey are available 90 days after the end of the reference period for most Member States.
Monthly unemployment and employment series are calculated first at the level of four categories for each Member State (males and females 15-24 years, males and females 25-74 years). These series are then seasonally adjusted and all the national and European aggregates are calculated.
Member States may publish other rates such as register based unemployment rates, or rates based on national Labour Force Surveys or corresponding surveys. These rates may vary from those published by Eurostat due to a different definition or methodological choices.
Current deviations from the definition of unemployment in the EU Labour Force Survey:
Spain, Italy, and United Kingdom: Unemployment is restricted to persons aged 16-74. In Spain and Italy the legal age limit for working is 16.
Netherlands: Persons without a job, who are available for work and looking for a job are only included in unemployment if they express that they would like to work.
3.
The March 2009 unemployment rate for the EU27 has been revised. The rate published in News Release 61/2009 of 30 April 2009 was 8.3%. For the euro area the rate remains unchanged. Among Member States, the rate has been revised by between 0.2 and 0.4 percentage points for Lithuania and Austria, and by more than 0.4 percentage points for Denmark, Estonia and Portugal. The revisions are primarily caused by the inclusion of the most recent EU Labour Force Survey data in the calculation process and updates to the seasonally adjusted series.
The following LFS data are used in the calculations of the monthly unemployment rates published in this News Release:
For Germany, Finland and Sweden up to and including April 2009.
For the Netherlands up to and including February-March-April 2009 (3-month rolling average).
For the United Kingdom up to and including January-February-March 2009 (3-month rolling average).
For Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Austria and Portugal up to and including 2009Q1.
For Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Greece, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia up to and including 2008Q4.
4.
Greece, Italy and Romania: quarterly data for all series.
Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia: quarterly data for youth unemployment.
5.
Provisional data: the Swedish Labour Force Survey was amended in April 2005 to take further account of the EU harmonised methodology. This break in the series may affect the reliability of the seasonal adjustment.
Issued by: Eurostat Press Office

DHL is seeking 320 redundancies as it closes depots in Athlone, Galway, Sligo, Cavan, Enniscorthy, Waterford and Tralee.

Company representatives are to meet unions on Monday morning, and a DHL Express spokeswoman said the redundancy package offered would be “generous and in line with best practice”.

DHL Express is the courier operation of Europe’s biggest mail and express delivery company, Deutsche Post DHL. DHL employs some 300,000 people in more than 220 countries.

The company operates four divisions in Ireland, which altogether employ 1,600 people.

IKEA JOBS in Ireland – Careers in IKEA

If you want a job in Ikea get down to the Ballymun Civic Center between 10am and 5pm this weekend but expect competition for 280 jobs. It was reported that over 4,500 applicants for 50 supervisor jobs in the first Ikea superstore to open in the Republic in July. BUT if you are not in you can’t win. There will be certainly big interest in the recruitment drive BUT also the opening in July. The Dublin outlet will be 31,500 sq ft representing one of Ikea’s flagship stores and it will include a restaurant and a creche.

ESB create 3,700 GREEN JOBS in Ireland

3,700 new jobs have been created through the latest announced by the ESB of which 500 jobs will be offered to new recruits this year. The massive employment boost for thousands of workers was announced this week and is part of a €1bn a year investment in new green technologies.

Job loss in Dublin, Kerry, Limerick & Shannon

160 plus employees will lose jobs with recent closures and layoff at 5 firms

LIMERICK – Irish Dresden

Irish Dresden has stopped manufacturing with the loss of 15 jobs.

KERRY – BeoCare & Beru Electronics

The healthcare company BeoCare is expected to close and Beru Electronics is seeking redundancies. Expected loss is 40 jobs.

CLARE – Agilisys Contact Services

Agilisys Contact Services based in Shannon is transferring operations to UK. The company employs 71 staff.

DUBLIN – New Oceans Limited

The print & design company has closed with 36 jobs lost.

Need a CV?

Need interview preparation support?

Ulster Bank Group is to absorb the business of First Active, formerly the First National Building Society, with the loss of 750 jobs. 550 jobs are to go at its operations in the Republic and a further 200 in Northern Ireland.

In 2003 First Active was acquired by Ulster Bank Limited, part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

The redundancies are part of a move by Ulster Bank Group to merge its specialist mortgage and investment arm, First Active, with Ulster Bank.

Following the merger, the First Active brand will disappear and all First Active customers will be automatically transferred to Ulster Bank.

Ulster Bank Group, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Scotland, employs 7,000 people in both the Republic and in Northern Ireland.

First Active has 60 branches in Dublin and the larger towns and cities, employing more than 400 people.

There is also a nationwide network of Ulster Bank branches, which was a good idea in the boom when lenders aggressively sought to build their loan books, but it is of little value in a recession.

All 60 First Active branches will be closed.

In locations where there is both a First Active branch and an Ulster Bank branch, one of the branches will be closed and the other will be branded Ulster Bank. In 15 First Active branches (in locations where there is no Ulster Bank already nearby), the branch will be converted to an Ulster Bank.

Negative Irish Jobs News at Kimball Electronics

There was negative jobs news for Longford today as Kimball Electronics announced that it would be closing its plant in Longford with the loss of 66 jobs. Kimball Electronics has been operating in Longford since 2006 and it is a sub-contract electronic manufacturer. It has been reported that the company had been making a loss in recent months and that they had tried to sell the facility but failed. These jobs will be lost to Poland which is where the facility will transfer. Is this further evidence of our lack of competitive or just the inevitable?

Positive Irish Jobs News at Cameron Ireland

There was also positive Irish jobs news in Longford with Cameron Ireland announcing the creation of 140 new jobs in the region. Cameron Ireland currently employs 220 staff in Longford so these jobs will see a substantial increase in headcount. Cameron Ireland develops technology for oil and gas flow regulation. Cameron’s products include sub-sea chokes and actuators which are designed and manufactured in Longford.

Jobsnews keeps you up-to-date on all the Irish Jobs News. You will find the latest jobs news in Ireland – positive and negative. We also provide other related stories about the Irish market.

Is it all bad news for the Irish Jobs market?

We have been reading about the jobs loss at many of the larger employers in Ireland as this makes great headlines and sells newspapers. What about the SME’s in Ireland? How have they been affected?

Well the developments are similar and SME’s in Ireland are suffering as a result of global pressures. They have been affected directly by redundancies and temporary lay-offs. It is estimated that 20% of SME’s made staff redundant in 2007. 14% of SME’s expect to let staff go in 2008 and 12% expect to introduce short term lay-offs. These figures indicate that SME sector mirrors the economy in general.

Commentators blame rising costs for these development. Costs such as electricity, waste and water but I think this is a simplistic view. Ok increased costs affects competitiveness but there are other glaring factors like the global recession, exchange rates and more.

Will new start-ups create new Irish Jobs?

This negative news does not seem to be deterring new entrepreneurs in Ireland. Reports suggest that there are as many start-ups in Ireland. Good luck to them.

Central Statistics Figures on Irish Jobs.

Service Sector has lost 2320 jobs in 2008 to date.
Building and Civil Sector has lost 2022 jobs in 2008 to date.
Manufacturing Sector has lost 2019 jobs in 2008 to date.

Last month 12,000 people were added to the live register.