Pace of Recruitment in Galway Eases in November but Overall Labour Demand Remains High

- Bank of Ireland Galway Job index -

The pace of recruitment in Galway eased in November, according to the latest results of the Bank of Ireland Galway Job Index which were released today (Monday, 12th December 2005).

This is mainly due to seasonal factors as the Christmas period approaches. Overall demand for labour has remained high over the last six months, just over 12,000 recruitment advertisements have been placed in the regional newspapers in Galway since June. Consistent with national results, it is evident from the Job Index that the leisure sector has been one of the key drivers of the economy in Galway over this period, accounting for one fifth of all job advertisements. This is followed closely by the professional sector and the construction sector. This trend is repeated in other key sectors across the country including Limerick, Waterford and Cork.

In total, in November 982 job advertisements were placed in the local newspapers in Galway. There were declines across a number of sectors including manufacturing (-66%), construction (-57%), professional (-66%), and leisure (-45%). Despite these reverses there were strong gains in the IT/Tech (+39%) finance (+56%) and healthcare (+10%) sectors.

Commenting on the 'Galway Job Index' John Lavelle, Regional Business Manager Bank of Ireland Galway said : "There were 631 new companies formed in Galway in the first eleven months of this year and the last six months have seen strong demand for labour across the economy in Galway. As in the other key urban centres the leisure professional and construction sectors account for the highest number of jobs. The buoyancy evident in these sectors is also being felt by our business bankers and these sectors will continue to be key drivers of the economy in Galway in 2006".

Monday, 12th December 2005

For reference;

Anne Mathews
Media Relations Manager
Bank of Ireland Group
Tel: 01 6043836 / 087 2460358

John Lavelle
Regional Business Manager
Bank of Ireland Galway
Tel: 086 2357040

Note to Editors:

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