More than 20,000 people have lost their jobs since Minister for Employment Michael Martin came to office in 2004, it was claimed today.
Fine Gael will tomorrow use Dáil time to raise concerns about the rising unemployment rate - the highest in seven years.
The party claims a total of 16,300 people joined the Live Register in January and February bringing the total to 187,900. Live Register figures for March are expected to show a further rise when they are published on Friday.
Tomorrow’s Private Members’ Motion in the name of Fine Gael TDs claims 20,605 people have lost their jobs since Mr Martin came to office in a Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004.
"The unemployment rate now stands at 5.2 per cent, its highest rate in seven years and it is projected by the ESRI to rise to over 6 per cent by the end of the year to a nine year high," the motion says.
Fine Gael wants the Government to restore competitiveness in the economy by investing in infrastructure and by controlling inflation through wage moderation and lower utility prices.
PA