By Chris Fingleton
Unemployment figures in Carlow have fallen for the second month in a row, according to new data published by the Central Statistics Office.
Figures for the month of October indicate that there were 98 fewer people signing on the live register, compared with the previous month.
Latest published figures indicate that there are now 6,123 signing on the dole in the county. The figures paint a brighter picture – and hopefully a brighter future – for the county ahead of next month’s budget.
In Carlow town, for example, during the month of October, there were 3,264 people signing on the dole, compared to 3,342 in September, a fall of 78. In Bagenalstown, there were 1,452 for the same month, compared with 1,473 the previous month, a drop of 21. However, in the Tullow area, there was no reduction, with an increase of just one more person claiming unemployment benefit for the month of October.
Last week, in a sign that a more positive mood may be gripping the county, over 200 Carlow people took the first step in their battle against unemployment when they attended a recent seminar entitled New Start hosted by Carlow County
Enterprise Board. Chief executive officer with Carlow County Enterprise Board, Michael Kelly, said: “Finding yourself unemployed for the first time in your career is a dramatic event, especially in a volatile market. But with the right guidance and support, you may be the perfect candidate for developing your own venture and creating your own job.”
Following the success of last week’s New Start seminar, the enterprise board has organised a number of additional courses for people who are looking at options for the future, including a start your own business programme.
And in another indicator of (hopefully) better times to come, over 15,000 people have pre-booked a seat on the Santa Train in Rathwood. This special festive service was launched three years ago in the lifestyle and garden centre and continues to capture the imagination of parents and children alike. This year children will be happy to know that Mrs Claus has travelled down with her hard-working husband and will be on hand to meet and greet the children before they
embark on their magical tour of the Rathwood forest
- As most businesses continue to struggle during what is being described as the worst economic slump in the history of the state, one organisation that cannot keep people from its door is FÁS. The government agency, which has received bad press nationally due to rampant overspending, continues to provide valuable local services to all those seeking to rejoin the workforce. The Carlow FÁS office at Hanover (beside The Nationalist office) provides career guidance dvice, back-to-work initiatives, a guidance interview with an employment services officer to discuss employment opportunities, training courses and other options that may lead to employment. For example, if you are considering changing your profession, the career guidance facility helps you identify skills that may be used in other job areas.