Economy
- Economic Profile
- Employment and Education
- Unemployment
- Employment Strategy
- Employment Land at Strategic Locations
- Environmental Improvement of Employment Areas
- Non-Conforming Uses
- Commercial Development in Rural Areas
- Tourism and Recreation
- Retail
6.2 Employment and Education
Table 6.1 demonstrates that the employment structure in the County has changed since 1991, with a fall of nearly 13.2% in the agricultural sector, a fall in the mining sector of 62.8% and a rise in the professional services sector of 7.6%. However, a major concern is that the commercial sector is not rising, as is the trend in many other parts of the country.
Table 6.1: Employment Structure in North Tipperary |
||||
Sector |
1991 |
% |
1996 |
% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Agriculture |
4,725 |
25.49 |
4,097 |
19.73 |
Mining |
154 |
.83 |
167 |
.80 |
Manufacturing |
3,414 |
18.42 |
4,120 |
19.84 |
Construction |
1,136 |
6.13 |
1,488 |
7.16 |
Electrical/ Gas |
133 |
.72 |
124 |
.60 |
Commerce |
2,859 |
15.42 |
3,129 |
15.07 |
Insurance |
534 |
2.88 |
593 |
2.86 |
Transport |
766 |
4.13 |
857 |
4.13 |
Public Admin |
1,162 |
6.27 |
1,410 |
6.79 |
Professional Services |
2,535 |
13.68 |
3,174 |
15.28 |
Other |
1,118 |
6.03 |
1,610 |
7.75 |
Total |
18,536 |
100 |
20,769 |
100 |
Source: CSO Census of Population 1996
Retaining existing jobs and creating new employment opportunities are principal priorities of the Council. A healthy economy is reflected in the environment and contributes to the quality of life for those who live or work in and visit the County. The Council is particularly concerned that there should be a wide range of employment opportunities to meet the needs and aspirations of the local workforce.
There can, however, be less attractive consequences of an active economy. Traffic congestion, pollution, incompatible neighbourhood development, loss of open space, noise and disturbance are all associated with economic development. The Council will seek to balance the need for economic development against the overall improvement in quality of life throughout the County.
Besides making decisions in its role as a Planning Authority, the Council impacts on the economy of the County in a number of other ways:
- It is a major employer;
- It is a major purchaser of goods and services;
- It is an owner and developer of property;
- It provides social and affordable housing;
- It has important links with statutory undertakers regarding infrastructure and service provision;
- It provides information on development opportunities, workforce provision and services;
- It is a key player in the preparation and implementation of a County Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy
Table 6.2 outlines the educational status of the workforce of North Tipperary, which demonstrates that the proportion of the labour force educated to at least upper secondary level is below the national average (third level included). These figures do not, however, demonstrate the overall level of attainment of the County's population in that over 4,800 students in County Tipperary go on to third level each year (1991 figures). A significant number of these people will not return to work in the County because of the lack of suitable employment.
In the fast changing world of information technology it is possible that some of these students might be encouraged to study in the Tipperary Institute and not have to leave the County for third level education. Secondly, many of these student migrants might be encouraged to return to Tipperary, should suitable employment be available, or as entrepreneurs or employees of outsourced units, operating businesses that are not necessarily location dependent.
Table 6.2: Educational Status of the Labour Force for Tipperary V National Average |
||
Educational Status |
N.Tipp.
% |
Ireland % |
|---|---|---|
Primary |
30.1 |
17.6 |
Lower Secondary |
22.8 |
21.3 |
Upper Secondary |
31.2 |
33.4 |
Third Level No Degree |
7.6 |
12.1 |
Third Level Degree or Higher |
6.6 |
13.3 |
Not Stated |
1.6 |
2.3 |
Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
Source: CSO 1996
The Tipperary Institute provides third level education in the County via a multi-nodal model. The Institute also has strong community links and targeted links with industry. The multi-nodal locations include both Clonmel and Thurles and links with secondary schools and the University of Limerick. There is also a Regional Training Centre in Roscrea located on the Monastery Road.
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