OECD classes town as amongst one of most deprived in entire country

June 1996

DUNDALK was classed as one of the six most deprived areas in the country in a report published by the OECD (the organisation for Economic Co- Operation and Development) in June, 1996.

The world wide organisation was investigating Irish job creation incentives as part of the Government and EU’s Development programme and unearthed some alarming statistics about unemployment in Dundalk.

At 28.4% the level of unemployment was half again as the national average, but 45% of the unemployed were older than 34, with an increase in the number of long-term unemployed within that age group.

The report concluded “between 1991 and 1995 while the overall level of unemployment remained the same, the number unemployed for more than two years increased by over 40%, and the number on the live register for more than three years rose by 50%”.

The survey found that the level of employment in local authority housing estates was particularly high with an increasing number of second and third generations in families unemployed. OECD also found that there was a very high level of early school leaving in local authority estates and with a reduced job base in the local economy the chances of early school leavers finding work were dramatically reduced as employers often insisted on formal qualifications even for the lowest skilled jobs.