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Varadkar: CSO data shows tourism rise

Wednesday, September 19 14:34:49

New CSO figures show the largest increase in employment in any sector over the year to June 2012 was in tourism-related jobs, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said today.

He said that this provides further evidence that the Government's 9pc VAT cut has had a positive impact on job-creation.

The latest Quarterly National Household Survey shows that employment levels in Accommodation and Food Service Activities increased by 5.9pc in the 12 months following the introduction of the special lower VAT rate for tourism-related activities.

"This is further evidence that the tourism-related measures in the Government's 2011 Jobs Initiative are contributing to job creation. Tourism was identified by this Government as a key priority for getting people back to work when we came into power, and I welcome the clear signs that this policy is proving effective," Minister Varadkar said.

Some 6,300 more people were employed in accommodation and food services in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2011 (6,400 seasonally adjusted). Furthermore, 10,600 more people were employed in this sector since before the general election (10,500 seasonally adjusted), the Minister said.