Cecilia Keaveney
Question:153 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the unemployment statistics in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11781/03]
Written Answers. - Unemployment Levels.
The latest Quarterly National Household Survey published by the Central Statistics Office on 20 February 2003, shows that the Border region as a whole, which includes Donegal, has experienced a small increase in the number of unemployed over the past year, from 12,400 to 12,700 in 2002. However, the unemployment rate remains unchanged for the year at 6.9%. During the same period those in employment increased by 4,000 to 170,800. Employment grew by 12,800, 2.9%, in the Border, midlands and west region compared to 5,000, 0.4%, in the eastern and southern region in the year to the fourth quarter of 2002. This continued the trend of stronger employment growth in the BMW region throughout 2002.