THE KILLARNEY ADVERTISER SAYS 

There are 1,118 people signing of for unemployment benefits in the Killarney Local Electorate Area.

That is according to the latest June figures from the Central Statistics Office which were published this week.

It shows an increase of 260 from the May figures.

This is a staggering amount of people who are out of work in a relatively small area.

It is even more shocking considering we are in the height of the tourist season and hotels and other hospitality sector businesses in Killarney keep telling us there are staff shortages throughout the industry.

Some businesses have reduced their operating days and hours in reaction to staff shortages.

The rising costs of fuel and child care means it is not financially viable for many people to go work. Wages earned are immediately dispersed to petrol stations and to pay a babysitter.

The average cost of childcare in Kerry costs €180 per week, a tank of fuel is another €100.

Wages do not meet the cost of living further reducing the desire to go to work.

The average weekly earnings of workers in the accommodation and food services sector is €400 according to Central Statistics Office figures issued in May.

That leaves €120 for all other expenses. Under the Job Seekers scheme the full weekly payment is €208.00 without the need to pay for fuel and childcare.

So some workers are financially better off, by €88.00 a week or €4576.00 a year, by staying at home.

Rent prices and the general cost of housing (and lack of social housing) means the majority of people live in rural settings and are not in walking distance to available jobs.

The lack of a public transport network adds to the cost of going to work.

In simple terms, it seems that the 1,118 Killarney people that cannot find work (for whatever reason) paint a very grim picture of all that is wrong in the country.

It is not their fault, it is the system’s fault.