Press release
Minister Doherty meets with new Labour Market Advisory Council to consider post-pandemic labour market
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Ms. Regina Doherty, today attended the first meeting of the new Labour Market Advisory Council she established just before the recent General Election. The Council, chaired by Mr. John Martin, met with the Minister today with the meeting being held remotely to comply with social distancing guidelines.
The Council has been set up to provide advice to the Minister and the Government with regard to the labour force participation rates, minimising unemployment levels and reducing average unemployment durations. The Council will publish its findings on a periodic basis and, crucially, against the ongoing backdrop of the COVID-19 emergency will now also advise on the wider labour market and employment policy challenges that face the Irish economy in the post-pandemic recovery period.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Doherty said:
“When I convened the Labour Market Advisory Council, we were living in a completely different world. Then, the challenges were how to mobilise those still remaining out of work in an economy that was at technical full employment. Today, we live in unprecedented times with over a million people reliant on the state for some form of income support and we face unparalleled demand for supports by businesses, workers and their families.
“The Irish Government has responded swiftly to this challenge by developing a comprehensive package of supports to mitigate the effects of this pandemic on the Irish economy and society. However, now is the time to start planning for the post-pandemic recovery. We must ensure that the Irish economy and labour market can reposition itself as quickly and effectively as possible.
“The Labour Market Advisory Council will be an important vehicle in providing guidance on employment and labour market issues and in developing the public policy responses that will support labour market recovery and assist us to retrain, re-energise and re-employ all those who have been disrupted by the pandemic. I would like to thank all the members for their participation.”
Bringing together high calibre representatives from the world of policy, academia and business, the Council membership reflects a strong blend of skills and experience to implement the Government’s economic reform agenda.
ENDS