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Economy

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CORK CITY PROFILE 2018 SECTION 02 ECONOMY

At the time of the 2011 census Ireland was in the middle of recession. The nation’s debt stood

at 120% of annual output, there was a 15% unemployment rate and the country was locked

out of international capital markets. Between 2011 and 2016 indicators suggested substantial

economic improvement. Employment levels, earnings and personal consumption increased.16

In March 2018 OECD research indicated that the Irish economy will continue to expand

over the next two years, albeit at a more sustainable rate. The labour market is projected to

tighten17 further to an unemployment rate of around 5.5%, raising consumer prices by more

than 2% in 2019. This will lead to slowing of household consumption, while rising property

prices are expected to continue to drive private construction development.

The OECD research indicates that the economy will be greatly helped if Irish firms are

supported to increase their productivity. This research recommends an increase in the level

of access young firms have to development funding.18

The OECD report highlights comparatively low employment levels amongst young low

educated persons in Ireland and recommends connecting social benefits to well-enforced

job search requirements. The OECD report also highlights comparatively higher gender

inequalities in the national employment profile.

CORK CITY’S BUSINESS ECONOMY

In 2016 every business in Cork City was invited to participate in the Employment and Land

Use Survey.19 Results show that between 2011 and 2016 job growth increased by 9.3% across

the city (an average of 1,333 new jobs per month) and that growth was 8.4% higher in the city

than the State.

Employment change and growth in Cork City differs significantly throughout the city.

The following map of the six geographic sectors of the city:

16 - https://www.pwc.ie/services/tax/fiscal-focus/fiscal-focus-in-sights/2016-fiscal-focus-econom-ic-health-check-for-ireland.html.

17 - A tightening labour market is when unemployment is falling, thereby reducing job vacancies and increas-ing wages.

18 - For more information please see: http://www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/Ireland-2018-OECD-economic-sur-vey-overview.pdf.

19 - Carried out every 5 years since the 1970s (apart from 1991). Response rate in 2016 was 95%.

Figure 14: SIX GEOGRAPHIC SECTORS IN CORK CITY'S ADMINISTRATIVE AREA (SOURCE: EMPLOYMENT AND LAND USE SURVEY 2016)

Carrigrohane

Togher

Glasheen

South Docks

Ballyphehane

Blackrock

Mahon

Sunday's Well

Knocknaheeny

Farranree

Mayfield

Tivoli

DoughcloyneDouglas Rochestown

Glanmire

South East

North East

South West

North West

South Central

City Centre

.

0 21

Kilometers

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Less than 11% of the total job growth between 2011-2016 in the city occurred in the city centre.

The majority of new jobs, over 86%, (5,774), were created in the city’s South West and South

East sectors. New jobs in the city’s North West and North East sectors accounted for less than

12% (740 jobs) of the overall growth rate.

While the 2016 Labour Market Survey (CSO) showed growth of just 11% in the city centre,

it is likely that this trend will continue to see a major shift as companies are increasingly

looking to locate in city centres. The area of new office space in the city centre since that

time, both completed and occupied and under development, is useful. Recent and current

development of premium office space in the city centre include:

» 25,300 m2 completed (One Albert Quay and Capitol)

» 36,820 m2 under construction (Navigation Square and 85-86 South Mall)

» 65,000 m2 approved (Horgan’s Quay and Copley Street)

The businesses in One Albert Quay currently employ 950 (capacity 1,400). The Capitol is home

to 200 employees (capacity 350). Phase One of Navigation Square and 85-86 South Mall are

both fully let.

The five largest employment sectors in the city are; Human Health and Social Work

Activities (17%); Retail (13%); Administrative and Support Service Activities (11%); Education

and Professional (9%) and Scientific and Technical Activities (9%). The survey used an

indicator called a ‘Location Quotient’ (LQ) to measure the city’s specialisation in a particular

sector relative to the State. LQ results show that Cork City ‘specialises’ in Administrative

and Support Services, Professional, Scientific Activities, Public Administration and

Defence, Human Health and Social Work, Information and Communication, and Education.

Administrative and Support Service Activities saw the greatest expansion in employment

from 2011 to 2016.

Most businesses in the city (74%) are described as ‘micro enterprises.’20 They employ an

average of 4 people, which is 15% of the city’s workforce. These businesses are mainly Retail

but span all economic sectors and almost half are in the centre of the city. 19 organisations

employ over 500, a total of 27,000 people (35%) of the city’s workforce. These businesses

are mainly located in the South West of the city but are also found in all six sectors.

The Local Enterprise Office Cork (LEO), acts as the first stop shop for business, and provides

a range of services and supports for micro and small enterprises in Cork City. In 2017 alone,

the LEO Cork City approved grant aid of €519,562 to 37 companies, as well as delivering

over 60 training and networking events for 821 businesses. 240 owner/managers availed

of mentoring and business advice clinics and 32 companies of the Trading Online Voucher

Scheme which supports businesses in driving their online marketing and sales presence.

20 - As they employ less than 10 people.

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As part of its remit the LEO Cork City continues to drive awareness of entrepreneurship through

programmes such as the second level Cork Schools Enterprise Programme aimed at Transition

Year students and Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) for individuals aged 18 to 35.

Other supports, such as the Lean for Micro and Technical Assistance Grant for Micro

Exporters (TAME), are delivered to prepare companies and build resilience to mitigate for

the impact of Brexit. Currently the LEO also manages two EU Projects aimed at Food and

Digital Start Ups in order to increase the level and number of export businesses.

In February 2018 Cork Urban Enterprises Clg. (CUEL) submitted an application to Enterprise

Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund and was approved €700,000 towards the

upgrade of Ballyvolane Enterprise Centre, now known as the “Northside for Business Campus.”

Over the next three years CUEL will oversee the development of the campus and a full suite

of capability building programmes to drive enterprise and innovation on the north side of

Cork City. The centre will also host the National Family Business and Succession Planning

Programme, which aims to ensure the survival and growth of the many family businesses

we have, not just in the Cork Region, but nationally.

Table 45: Employers with Over 500 Staff (Source: Cork City Employment and Land Use Survey, 2016)

Organisations

Abtran HSE Bon Secours Hospital

Alcon Technology Ireland Ltd HSE Cork University Hospital

Apple (3 locations) HSE Mercy Hospital

Boston Scientific (Cork) Ltd HSE Saint Finbarr’s Hospital

Cope Foundation (Middle Glanmire Road) HSE South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital

Cork City Council Musgrave’s Retail Partners Ltd

Cork County Council Starwood Hotels and Resorts

Cork Institute of Technology The Defence Forces

EMC University College Cork

VoxPro

Since 2011, 636 new businesses have started to trade in Cork City, most of them in the Retail

and Accommodation/Food Service sectors. The industries associated with the highest job

numbers created, however, have been in Information and Communication and Professional,

Scientific and Technical sectors.

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2.1 Cork City Economic Initiatives

CORK CITY CENTRE

The City Centre is the ‘Healthy Heart’ of Cork, essential

to the well-being of the wider region and the country as a

whole. It is also the city’s front window, playing the central

role in its economic, social and cultural identity. The city

creates a network where economic activity prospers and

communities work together to inspire and enable Cork to

further itself. It is this combination and interaction between

people and place that is the critical element to the success

of urban life in our city.

Recognising this, the Cork City Centre Strategy (2014)

sets out clear aims to revitalise the City Centre through

improvement and development, better management based

upon a partnership of key stakeholders, and increasing

the marketing of the City Centre’s offer. Building on the

Strategy’s aims, three new groups were formed and are

actively working to ensure that opportunities are maximised

and the City Centre achieves and hopefully surpasses its

enormous potential:

CORE PARTNERSHIP

Cork City Council has drawn together key stakeholders

including Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, Gardai

and Bus Eireann, as well as representatives from the retail

and hospitality sectors in the city, to form CORE. The

partnership takes an overall strategic view towards the

management and promotion of all aspects of city life.

THE CITY CENTRE STEERING GROUP

This group is made up of the senior management of Cork

City Council and focuses on the implementation of the

Cork City Centre Strategy. The City Centre is separated

into six character areas or quarters with a member of senior

management responsible for a specific area along with

an area planner.

CITY CENTRE FORUM

The Forum is an important operational element of the

process and has developed practical projects. Action plans

and progress reports are produced each year to help realise

these aims. All progress is based on collaboration between

the people who work and live in Cork, who are proud of

their city and want to make it an attractive, prosperous and

welcoming place.21

A key instrument in the Economic Development Unit in

Cork City Council is the Economic Development Fund (EDF).

The EDF was set up (1% of rates, which is approximately

€600,000) in 2012 and builds on the significant work in

areas such as energy, innovation and telecommunications.

Initiatives are also developed through the Cork Area

Strategic Plan (CASP) structures, ensuring that the impact

of the city, as the economic driver of the region, will be

maximised. A similar fund is operated by Cork County

Council and both initiatives are jointly funding some actions.

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Since 2016, the EDF has been aligned with the Economic Development Strategy set out in

Chapter 3 of the Cork City Development Plan 2015, particularly the six identified drivers

of competitiveness:

21 - http://corkcitycentre.ie/wp-con-tent/uploads/2018/03/CCC_Revit-alisation-brochure_Low-res.pdf.

1. Economic Diversity

2. Innovation

3. Skills and Human Capital

4. Connectivity

5. Placemaking

6. Strategic Governance

The EDF is also framed to implement the Strategies, Objectives and Actions set out in

the Cork City Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). The LECP organised its economic

plans under the six drivers of competitiveness listed above. Thus, this report should be

considered in conjunction with the LECP Implementation Plan.

The EDF also supports actions set out in the South West Action Plan for Jobs, an initiative

of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, with multiple stakeholders in the

enterprise sector in the city.

The effectiveness of the EDF will be determined by the projects it supports, which in turn will

be dependent on the quality of these projects. Thus, the EDF supports projects that

are strategic in nature and supported by other stakeholders/partners of Cork City Council.

The fund supports a number of areas:

Innovation and entrepreneurship

The IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme and SPRINT programme are operated

by UCC. They are university campus-based incubators and accelerator programmes for

graduates and postgrads/post doctorates developing innovative and research based

products and services with a view to commercialising and spinning out. The key objectives are

enabling graduates and postgraduates and post doctorate research students to start their

own businesses and create employment in the Cork region, creating jobs and contributing to

economic growth. IGNITE provides graduates with the full range of services to enable business

start-up success, including business incubation space, business training, one-to-one mentoring,

access to UCC’s research expertise and coaches on campus and regular networking events.

The Sprint programme is an accelerator type programme operated by UCC to mentor and assist

postgraduate and post doctorate researchers to commercialise their research and Intellectual

Property which emanates from the numerous high end research programmes in UCC including

Tyndall, MaREI and INFANT & IERC. This is a collaborative initiative between University

College Cork (UCC), Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the Cork County and City Local

Enterprise Offices. It is strongly supported by the business and entrepreneur community.

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CorkBIC Growth Pathway programme

CorkBIC is a not for profit foundation (European-wide)

which provides mentoring and services to the

entrepreneurial community. It has operated accelerator

programmes, offers incubation space at the National

Software Campus, where it is based, and is part of Angel

& Venture Capital Networks (HBAN). It has been operating

various programmes for a few years, which have been

supported jointly by City Council and County Council along

with Bank of Ireland. These have recently been amalgamated

into a single programme called Growth Pathway, which

consists of three events: The Entrepreneur Experience;

Venture Academy/International Conference; and Showcase,

which are mentoring services/programmes provided to

start-up and scale-up companies in the city region with

a view to making them investor ready. These programmes

have resulted in a significant success rate and in bringing

start-ups through scaling, resulting in investment of Venture

Capital funds and the creation of jobs and High Potential

Start-ups for further investment by Enterprise Ireland

and other Venture Capital investment funds.

Cork Innovates, now in its sixth year, has the key role in

promoting entrepreneurship and integrating the objectives

of the key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem,

including UCC & CIT, Cork Chamber, CorkBIC and Enterprise

Ireland, along with entrepreneurs.

Cork City Council and Cork County Council have jointly

led the development of the new Cork Place Brand, in

cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders including

UCC, CIT, Cork Airport, Port of Cork, Cork Chamber, Cork

Business Association, Ibec, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland,

Fáilte Ireland and Visit Cork. ‘We are Cork’ is a partnership

bringing together all the stakeholders in the Cork Region

under one brand. This new brand for Cork will help tell the

big picture of why Cork is a great place to live, work, study,

visit, invest and do business in.

Other Supports

The Rates Incentive Scheme provides a grant in lieu of rates

(up to 50%) for niche companies located in areas of vacancy

and dereliction along the historic spine of the city.

Energy Cork is an industry-driven cluster pursuing co-

ordinated actions to strengthen enterprise and employment

within the energy sector. The initiative is supported by

Cork City Council and Cork County Council through their

respective Economic Development Funds.

Taste Cork is an initiative jointly supported by Cork City

and County Councils and their respective Local Enterprise

Offices, arising from a recognition that a strong, diverse and

vibrant food business community exists across Cork. An

integrated food strategy - ‘Taste Cork 2021’- was formulated

to nurture and develop the sector and sustain its long-term

growth. The strategy is informed and guided by industry

partners, highlighting the following areas as critical to

the future success of the Cork food sector:

1. Provision of long term structured supports and

educational programmes for food businesses

and artisan food producers in Cork.

2. Identification of local, national and international routes

to market and the provision of support for producers

to achieve success in their relevant target markets.

3. Education of consumers, retailers and foodservice

to understand the importance of locally produced

food, thus facilitating an economic model which will

both contribute to the local economy and act as a job

creation generator.

4. The development of Cork’s food tourism sector and

establishing Cork as Ireland’s leading food destination.

EU Projects

The City Council has instigated a position of EU Projects

Officer with a view to increasing engagement in EU projects

to leverage funds from Horizon 2020, Interreg, ESPON and

other EU funding programmes. It also supports membership

of key EU organisations such as the Covenant of Mayors,

Confederation of Atlantic Arc Cities, and ICLEI Local

Governments for Sustainability, which support EU projects.

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2.2 Social Enterprise

A Social Enterprise can be defined as ‘an enterprise that trades for a

social/societal purpose, where at least part of its income is earned from

its trading activity, is separate from government, and where the surplus

is primarily re-invested in the social objective’ (Forfás Definition 2013).

According to a 2018 CPA (Certified Public Accountants) Report, Social Enterprise accounts

for about 6% of GDP across the EU. It also notes that if Ireland’s social enterprise sector were

to approach mean EU levels, it is estimated that there would be approximately 65,000 jobs in

social enterprises; which could grow to 100,000 jobs.

In Cork City there is a vibrant Social Enterprise sector with strong potential for growth

and an increasing interest in the role of social enterprises at a local government level. The

Social Enterprises in the city range from circular economy enterprises like Boomerang which

recycles old mattresses to STEAM Education which provides educational programmes on

science, technology, engineering, maths and art to primary school children. There are also

many others including Deaf Enterprises, Churchfield Community Trust, Meitheal Mara,

and Northside Community Enterprise. Cork City Council has digitally mapped the Social

Enterprises in the city and this can be viewed here:

http://corkcity.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html

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2.3 Principal Economic Status

The following table illustrates the Principal Economic Status

of the population (numbers and percentage changes) in Cork

City from 2006 to 2016.

The greatest proportion of Cork City’s population (48.3%),

aged 15+, were ‘at work’ in 2006 and the majority were male

(56.0%). The recession began in 2008 and by 2011 the largely

male unemployment rate almost doubled from 6.4% to

12.1% (the construction sector was significantly negatively

affected by the recession) and the working population fell to

42.3% in Cork City, substantially lower than the State rate of

50.1%. From 2011 to 2016 the ‘at work’ population in the city

recovered well to almost pre-recession figures (46.9%) but

remained low compared to both the City and Suburbs and

the State rates of 51.5% and 53.4% respectively. This can be

somewhat explained by Cork City’s relatively high proportion

of students (an almost 4.0% higher proportion than the

State). In 2016 there were 37,586 third level full-time

students attending UCC, CIT and Cork College of Commerce.

This is equivalent to 21.7% of the city’s day-time population.

Table 46: Persons Aged 15 and Over by Economic Status 2006 to 2016, Cork City (Source: CSO)

2006 % Change 2011 % Change 2016

At work 48892 -11.9% 43062 17.2% 50483

Looking for first job 1087 -6.6% 1015 -9.5% 919

Unemployed 5317 111.6% 11251 -28.7% 8024

Student 14251 5.0% 14962 9.4% 16374

Looking after home and family

11415 -21.3% 8982 -14.9% 7641

Retired 13409 13.9% 15279 11.2% 16997

Unable to work 6487 3.2% 6697 0.3% 6716

Other 396 22.5% 485 16.1% 563

Labour force participation rate

54.6% 54.4% 55.2%

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Table 47: Comparative Percentages of the Population by Principal Economic Status, Cork City (Source: CSO)

Principal Economic Status for the population of Cork City 2006 2011 2016

At Work 48.3% 42.3% 46.9%

Looking for First Regular Job 1.1% 1.0% 0.9%

Unemployed having lost or given up previous job 5.3% 11.1% 7.4%

Student 14.1% 14.7% 15.2%

Looking after home/family 11.3% 8.8% 7.1%

Retired 13.2% 15.0% 15.8%

Unable to work due to permanent sickness or disability 6.4% 6.6% 6.2%

Other 0.4% 0.5% 0.5%

Figure 15: PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE POPULATION (15YRS +) OF CORK CITY FROM 2006 TO 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

At Work Looking forFirst Regular

Job

Unemployedhavin glost or

given upprevious job

Student Looking a�erhome/family

Retired Unable towork due topermanentsickness or

disability

Other

Principle Economic Status for population aged 15+ in Cork City 2006, 2011 and 2016

Cork City 2006 Cork City 2011 Cork City 2016

Principal Economic Status of the Population Aged 15yrs + Cork City, 2006 to 2016

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Figure 16: PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC STATUS FOR POPULATION AGED 15YRS+ CORK CITY, CORK CITY AND SUBURBS AND THE STATE, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

Table 48: Comparative Percentages of the Population by Principal Economic Status for Cork City, Cork City and Suburbs and the State, 2016 (Source: CSO)

Principal Economic Status 2016 City And Suburbs State

At Work 46.9% 51.5% 53.4%

Looking for First Regular Job 0.9% 0.7% 0.8%

Unemployed having lost or given up previous job 7.4% 6.3% 7.1%

Student 15.2% 14.2% 11.4%

Looking after home/family 7.1% 7.3% 8.1%

Retired 15.8% 14.2% 14.5%

Unable to work due to permanent sickness or disability 6.2% 5.3% 4.2%

Other 0.5% 0.5% 0.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

At work Looking forFirst Regular

Job

Unemployedhavin glost or

given upprevious job

Student Looking a�erhome/family

Retired Unable towork due topermanentsickness or

disability

Other

Principal Economic Status for population aged 15+ in Cork City, Cork City and Suburbs and the State in 2016

Cork City Cork City and Suburbs State

Principal Economic Status for Population Aged 15yrs + Cork City, Cork City and Suburbs and the State, 2016

89


The second highest proportion of Cork City’s population were retired in 2016. The number

of retired people increased between 2006 and 2016 from 13.2% to 15.8% of the overall

population. In 2016 Cork City had a higher retired population than the City and Suburbs

(14.2%) and the State (14.5%). This is partly due to its age profile: Cork City has higher

proportions of those aged 65+ than the City and Suburbs and the State.

Being ‘Older’ is often considered in terms of ‘dependency’ but research by Trinity College Dublin

(TILDA22) presents findings that show that ‘contrary to perceptions, the over-whelming direction

of transfers of time and financial assistance is to children and grandchildren.’23 The research

found that older people are contributing valuable (and quantifiable) childcare assistance

to grandchildren and facilitating labour market participation for parents. Persons aged 50+

are also described as the ‘backbone’ of Ireland’s volunteer structure with more than 50%

volunteering during the previous year. An activity which helps both the volunteer and receiver.24

Those EDs with the highest proportions of retired persons in 2016 were Fair Hill B, Bishopstown

D, Turners Cross D, Montenotte B and Glasheen C. In 2006, 2011 and 2016 Fair Hill B had the

highest retired population, the highest population aged 65+, the highest old age dependency

ratios and in 2016 had one of the highest proportions of those ‘unable to work due to sickness

or disability,’ the highest widowed population, a high deprivation score, high proportion of those

with disabilities, among lowest proportion of professional workers and highest for unskilled

and was among the highest for divorce. The EDs of Togher B, Montenotte B and Glasheen C

are among those with consistently high proportions of retired and older individuals.

Since 2011 the overall populations of Fair Hill B and Montenotte B have been decreasing whilst

Bishopstown D and Glasheen C have been marginally increasing. Turners Cross D has a relatively

low density whilst Shandon B and Sunday’s Well B, with low proportions of retired individuals,

are amongst the most densely populated EDs . EDs with low proportions of ‘Retired,’ South Gate

A, Centre A, St. Patrick’s A, are among those with the highest proportions of 15-64 year olds.

South Gate A has one of the highest proportions of single people and the lowest proportion

of retired individuals. In 2016, 88.8% of its population was aged between 15-64.

22 - The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

23 - https://tilda.tcd.ie/publications/reports/pdf/w3-key-findings-re-port/TILDA%20Wave%203%20Key%20Findings%20report.pdf, (9).

24 - https://tilda.tcd.ie/publications/reports/pdf/w3-key-findings-re-port/TILDA%20Wave%203%20Key%20Findings%20report.pdf.

Table 49: EDs with the Highest Proportions of Retired Persons (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Fair Hill B 28.5% Fair Hill B 31.3% Fair Hill B 32.6%

Togher B 26.8% Glasheen C 25.9% Bishopstown D 29.1%

Gurranebraher C 21.9% Montenotte B 25.6% Turners Cross D 26.1%

Farranferris C 21.9% Togher B 24.2% Montenotte B 26.1%

Turners Cross B 21.7% Browningstown 24.1% Glasheen C 26.0%

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Table 50: EDs with the Lowest Proportions of Retired Persons (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

South Gate A 3.9% South Gate A 3.4% South Gate A 3.4%

Bishopstown A 5.6% Shanakiel 7.4% St. Patrick's A 7.1%

Knocknaheeny 5.7% Gillabbey A 7.6% Shandon B 7.1%

Fair Hill C 5.8% Centre A 7.8% Centre A 7.6%

Shanakiel 5.9% Mahon B 7.8% Sundays Well B 7.7%

The third greatest proportion of the population aged 15+ in 2016 in Cork City were students

(15.2%), an increase since 2006. There were a greater proportion of students in the city than

in the City and Suburbs (14.2%) and the State (11.4%) in 2016.

Since 2006 the proportion of students has increased by 14.9% in the city with the greatest

increase between 2011 and 2016. The increasing numbers in Cork City are likely due to the extensive

and expanding educational sector.25 There is no remarkable disparity between the ratio of male

to female students. A nominal imbalance, favouring females, in 2006, almost equalised by 2016.

7.1% of Cork City’s population, aged 15+, were looking after home/family in 2016.. Although

the vast majority of them are female (93.5%), since 2006 a greater proportion of males are

taking up this role. In 2006, 3.2% of males were looking after home/family and in 2016 their

proportion more than doubled to 6.5%. The numbers in this category ‘looking after home and

family’ significantly changed from 2006 to 2016 from 11,415 to 7,641 persons respectively.

The State-wide proportion in 2016 (8.1%) is higher than Cork City’s (7.1%). The proportion

across the State also decreased between 2011 and 2016 but to a slightly lesser extent than

Cork City. 7.3% in the City and Suburbs were looking after home/family in 2016.

EDs with the highest proportions of those looking after home/family were Fair Hill A,

Browningstown, Turners Cross D, Togher A and Fair Hill C. Browningstown has the lowest

unemployment level, whereas Fair Hill C, Fair Hill A and Togher A suffer high unemployment,

have high proportions unable to work and who finished education before the age of 15.

EDs with low proportions who look after home and family are characterised as having high

percentages of single individuals. Bishopstown A, Gillabbey B and Gillabbey C have high

student populations. Between 2011 and 2016, Bishopstown A and Gillabbey C increased their

population density by 67.6% and 40.6% respectively. The population of Bishopstown A

(located furthest west within the city boundary) increased from 1,326 to 2,223 between 2011

and 2016 with no appreciable differences between the number of males and females (although

females marginally outnumber males). Bishopstown A also has the highest affluence score

in 2016. Gillabbey C and Centre A also score high on affluence.

25 - Please see Education section of this report for further information.

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Togher

Mahon

Blackpool/The GlenMayfield

Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill/

Churchfield

Fairhill/Gurranabraher/

Farranree

Source: Esri, HERE, Garmin, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community

PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ THAT ARE LOOKING AFTER HOME/FAMILY, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas

Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill/Churchfield

Blackpool/The Glen/Mayfield

Fairhill/Gurranabraher/Farranree

Mahon

Togher

Less than 3%

3% to 7%

7% to 11%

11% to 15%

Greater than 15%

Figure 17: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ THAT ARE LOOKING AFTER HOME/FAMILY, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

Table 51: EDs with the Highest Proportions Looking After Home and Family, 2016 (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Fair Hill A 18.6% Mayfield 13.6% Fair Hill A 11.9%

Mayfield 17.5% Fair Hill A 13.1% Browningstown 11.6%

Turners Cross D 17.3% Ballyphehane A 12.9% Turners Cross D 10.9%

Knocknaheeny 17.1% Browningstown 12.8% Togher A 10.8%

Blackpool A 16.9% Togher A 12.7% Fair Hill C 10.6%

Table 52: EDs with the Lowest Proportions Looking After Home and Family (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

South Gate A 2.7% South Gate A 3.0% Bishopstown A 3.0%

South Gate B 4.0% St. Patrick's B 3.2% Gillabbey B 2.9%

Centre A 4.3% Centre A 3.2% Centre A 2.7%

Centre B 4.7% Gillabbey C 3.3% Gillabbey C 2.7%

St. Patrick's A 5.0% St. Patrick's A 3.4% St. Patrick's B 2.6%

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The proportions of Cork City’s population ‘unable to work due to permanent sickness or

disability’ is showing a positive, if marginal, decreasing trend. Although the actual number

in this group increased by 229, their proportion decreased from 6.4% in 2006 to 6.2% in

2016. Cork City’s percentage is the highest compared to the City and Suburbs (5.3%) and the

State at (4.2%). Figure 18 illustrates the geographical spread of those unable to work due to

sickness or disability. Concentrations of this population are evident in RAPID areas of the city

where in a number of EDs more than one in 10 of those aged 15+ are unable to work.

Togher

Mahon



Churchfield


Farranree


PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ THAT ARE UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO SICKNESS OR DISABILITY, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas




Mahon

Togher

Less than 3%

3% to 5%

5% to 7%

7% to 9%

Greater than 9%

Figure 18: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ THAT ARE UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO SICKNEESS OR DISABILITY, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

93


The EDs with the highest proportions of ‘unable to work’ were Gurranebraher E, Knocknaheeny,

Gurranebraher A, Fair Hill B and Mayfield. These EDs have high proportions of unskilled

persons and are RAPID areas. Knocknaheeny and Fair Hill B have seen their populations

decrease since 2011 and are the most deprived EDs in Cork City/score highest for deprivation.

The EDs with the lowest proportions of those unable to work: Gillabbey C, Glasheen A,

Glasheen B, Browningstown and Mardyke, are largely made up of students and single persons

and all score relatively high in terms of affluence.

Table 53: EDs with the Highest Proportions of Those Unable to Work (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Tramore A 14.7% Knocknaheeny 13.8% Gurranebraher E 12.7%

Gurranebraher A 14.6% Farranferris B 13.4% Knocknaheeny 12.7%

Churchfield 13.8% Churchfield 12.6% Gurranebraher A 12.6%

Farranferris B 13.0% Gurranebraher A 12.4% Fair Hill B 11.4%

Knocknaheeny 12.9% Gurranebraher C 12.2% Mayfield 11.1%

Table 54: EDs with the Lowest Proportions of Those Unable to Work (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Bishopstown A 0.7% Bishopstown A 1.0% Gillabbey C 0.7%

Mardyke 1.7% Glasheen B 1.4% Glasheen A 1.8%

Browningstown 2.3% Gillabbey C 1.5% Glasheen B 2.0%

Glasheen B 2.3% Mardyke 1.8% Browningstown 2.0%

South Gate A 2.4% Browningstown 2.5% Mardyke 2.1%

94


2.4 Industry of Employment

Figure 19: INDUSTRY OF EMPLOYMENT FOR MALES AND FEMALES IN CORK CITY AND THE STATE, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

The highest proportions of those at work in Cork City were employed in the Professional

Services sector in 2016.26 These types of occupations include accountants, solicitors,

engineers, architects and professionals working in scientific research and development

organisations.27 In 2006 around 1 in 6 individuals worked in this sector and increased to over

1 in 4 (25.1%)28 by 2016. The 2011 State proportion remained the same in 2016 at the slightly

lower rate of 23.5%. In 2006, females outnumbered males by almost 3:1 but this margin has

been closing since and now stands at 2:1.

Across Cork City, areas with the highest levels of persons employed in Professional Services

tend towards the South West of the City - Bishopstown and Glasheen. This area of the city

houses UCC, CIT’s main campus and the Cork Business and Technology Park.

The EDs with the highest proportions of those employed in Professional Services in

2016 were: Glasheen A, Bishopstown E, Sundays Well A, Bishopstown D and Glasheen B.

Bishopstown E and Glasheen B are amongst those with the highest proportions with

Honours Bachelor’s degrees, professional qualifications, or both.

26 - The highest proportion (28.8%) in 2006 worked in the Commerce and Trade sector.

27 - 2016 Employment and Land Use Survey, Cork City.

28 - The same proportion as the City and Suburbs.

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

Agricultureforestry and

fishing

Building andconstruction

Manufacturingindustries

Commerce andtrade

Transport andcommunications

Publicadministration

Professionalservices

Other

Industry of Employement, 2016

Cork City Males State Males Cork City Females State Females

Industry of Employment Cork City and the State, 2016

95


Table 55: EDs with the Highest Proportions Employed in Professional Services (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Gillabbey C 24.1% Glasheen A 50.8% Glasheen A 39.8%

Bishopstown A 19.3% Bishopstown D 41.5% Bishopstown E 39.1%

Knockrea A 15.9% Sundays Well A 41.2% Sundays Well A 37.3%

Ballinlough A 15.4% Bishopstown E 40.9% Bishopstown D 35.6%

Centre A 15.4% Bishopstown B 40.3% Glasheen B 35.3%

Table 56: EDs with the Lowest Proportions Employed in Professional Services (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Blackpool A 0.0% Shandon A 12.3% Shandon B 16.8%

Churchfield 0.0% Centre A 15.2% Blackpool B 16.4%

City Hall A 0.0% Commons 17.0% Centre B 15.8%

Fair Hill B 0.0% Ballyphehane A 17.4% Shandon A 15.6%

Farranferris A 0.0% Shandon B 17.6% Centre A 14.9%

Figure 20: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AT WORK THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

Togher

Mahon



Churchfield


Farranree


PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AT WORK THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas




Mahon

Togher

Less than 20%

20% to 25%

25% to 30%

30% to 35%

Greater than 35%

96


COMMERCE AND TRADE

This sector employed the second highest proportion of those at work in 2016 across the

city, the City and Suburbs and the State.29 Employment in this sector has been falling for

the period under review in Cork City. In 2006 the biggest share of the workforce was

employed in this sector (28.8%). By 2011 and 2016 the proportions reduced to 23.5% and

22.4% respectively. Of the three geographies, Cork City, the City and Suburbs and the State,

Cork City had the lowest proportion working in this sector in 2016, followed by the City and

Suburbs at 23.7% and the State at 23.9%.

The EDs with the highest proportion of their workforce employed in this sector in 2016 were

Tramore A, Pouladuff A, Ballyphehane B, Mahon C and the Lough. These EDs are for the most

part adjacent to each other South and East of the City Centre. Ballyphehane B and Pouladuff

A have high proportions (close to 50%) with highest education of lower secondary and these

EDs have the highest proportions of skilled manual workers in the City.

Table 57: EDs with the Highest Proportions Employed in Commerce and Trade (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Browningstown 50.6% Ballyphehane A 32.3% Tramore A 31.9%

Bishopstown A 45.6% Tramore B 31.8% Pouladuff A 30.6%

Ballinlough C 44.9% Knockrea A 30.7% Ballyphehane B 30.4%

Bishopstown C 44.4% Ballyphehane B 30.4% Mahon C 30.2%

Ballinlough B 44.0% Mahon C 30.3% The Lough 29.2%

Table 58: EDs with the Lowest Proportions Employed in Commerce and Trade (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Farranferris B 0.0% Shandon B 16.1% Blackpool B 16.8%

Gurranebraher B 6.3% Blackpool A 16.2% St. Patrick's A 16.3%

Fair Hill A 9.5% Fair Hill B 16.8% Farranferris A 16.2%

Turners Cross C 9.5% Centre B 17.0% Shandon A 15.9%

Gurranebraher E 10.3% The Glen A 17.1% Shandon B 14.4%

29 - In discussing data about ‘Type of Industry’ the category of ‘other’ is excluded’ from analysis.

97


MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing is the second largest employer in Ireland employing 159,000 people. 82%

of the 4,000 manufacturing companies are based outside the Dublin region30 and 71% of all

manufacturers export. This industry is the third most prominent employment sector in Cork

City and includes large producers such as Apple, Boston Scientific, Heineken and Dulux,

as well as small-scale enterprises.31

The manufacturing sector in Cork shows a stable employment record with the same

proportion employed in 2006 as in 2016 (13.9%). The city has a lower proportion than the

City and Suburbs (15.1%) and is higher than the State (11.4%), which experienced a fall of

0.2% since 2011.

The EDs with the highest proportions employed in Manufacturing in 2016 were Shandon

A, Gurranebraher E, Fair Hill B, Fair Hill A and Gurranebraher A. These EDs are on the North

West side of Cork City and, apart from Shandon A, are designated as RAPID areas. Fair Hill

B has a high proportion of retired, and those unable to work. Gurranebraher E also has a high

proportion unable to work. Gurranebraher A, Gurranebraher E, Fair Hill B and Fair Hill A are

amongst the EDs with the highest proportions of ‘unskilled.’

Figure 21: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AT WORK THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN COMMERCE AND TRADE, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

30 - https://www.ibec.ie/IBEC/BA.nsf/vPages/Business_Sectors~manufac-turing-ireland/$file/Ibec_Manufac-turing_Ireland_Brochure_2016.pdf.

31 - 2016 Employment and Land Use Survey, Cork City.

Togher

Mahon



Churchfield


Farranree


PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AT WORK THAT ARE EMPLOYEDIN COMMERCE AND TRADE, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas




Mahon

Togher

Less than 18%

18% to 21%

21% to 24%

24% to 27%

Greater than 27%

98


Table 59: EDs with Highest Proportions Employed in Manufacturing (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Blackpool A 18.8% Fair Hill B 21.2% Shandon A 23.0%

Pouladuff A 16.7% Gurranebraher A 19.7% Gurranebraher E 21.9%

The Lough 16.2% Shandon A 19.7% Fair Hill B 20.6%

Farranferris C 15.8% Togher B 19.5% Fair Hill A 19.4%

Greenmount 15.5% Fair Hill C 18.8% Gurranebraher A 19.2%

Table 60: EDs with Lowest Proportions Employed in Manufacturing (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Gillabbey B 0.0% Gillabbey B 6.3% Bishopstown A 9.6%

Gurranebraher E 0.0% Evergreen 8.1% The Lough 9.5%

Mardyke 0.0% Browningstown 8.3% Mayfield 9.2%

Pouladuff B 2.3% Mardyke 8.4% Gillabbey B 9.2%

Farranferris A 3.2% Glasheen B 9.0% Knockrea B 8.9%

Figure 22: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AT WORK THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

Togher

Mahon



Churchfield


Farranree


PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AT WORK THAT ARE EMPLOYEDIN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas




Mahon

Togher

Less than 10%

10% to 13%

13% to 16%

16% to 19%

Greater than 19%

99


BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

9.9% of Cork City’s population was employed in this sector in 2006. As a result of the

recession in 2008 the construction industry effectively collapsed32 and by 2011 employment

in this sector fell to 3.6% of the city’s total and remained at that level until 2016. In 2016 Cork

City had a marginally lower proportion employed in construction relative to both the City

and Suburbs (4.0%) and the State (5.1%).

The EDs with the highest proportions employed in the Building and Construction Sector in

2016 were Gurranebraher B, Gurranebraher A, Fair Hill A, The Glen B and Ballyphehane A.

The Glen B, Gurranebraher A and Fair Hill A have high proportions of ‘skilled manual.’

Table 61: EDs with Highest Proportions Employed in Building and Construction (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 GEOGDESC %

Gurranebraher E 62.1% Gurranebraher B 7.5% Gurranebraher B 8.4%

Gurranebraher A 44.4% Pouladuff A 6.9% Gurranebraher A 8.0%

Blackpool A 43.8% Knockrea B 6.5% Fair Hill A 7.9%

Gurranebraher B 43.8% Fair Hill A 6.5% The Glen B 7.3%

Farranferris C 42.1% Turners Cross D 6.0% Ballyphehane A 7.3%

Table 62: EDs with Lowest Proportions Employed in Building and Construction (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Shandon B 9.4% Centre A 1.3% Centre A 1.3%

Sundays Well B 9.5% Sundays Well B 1.5% Centre B 1.3%

South Gate A 10.2% Shandon A 1.6% Gillabbey C 1.3%

Centre A 10.3% Glasheen A 1.6% Shandon B 1.2%

Mardyke 10.8% Centre B 1.7% Sundays Well B 0.6%

32 - https://www.esri.ie/pubs/JACB201418.pdf (John Fitzgerald).

100


TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

This was the fourth greatest employment sector in Cork City in 2016 and the proportion who

worked in this industry almost doubled in the 10 years under review. The sector encompasses

a wide variety of types of organisations and skill levels and includes: Iarnród Eireann, Bus

Eireann, taxis, An Post, telecommunications, software publishing and data processing. In 2016

almost one in 10 workers were employed in this sector. The City and Suburbs had a marginally

higher proportion of 9.7% and the State was lower at 8.5%.

This sector demands varied skills, education levels and experience from those who work in

it. This diversity of skill need is reflected in the differing characteristics of EDs from which

employees originate. EDs with the highest proportions in 2016 were Gillabbey A, Commons,

Shandon A, Gurranebraher E and City Hall A. A high proportion of Gurranebraher E’s

population were unskilled, as it was with Ballyphehane B at the other end of this scale (lowest

proportions employed in this sector). Mardyke, Gillabbey B and Glasheen B have high student

levels, as does Gillabbey A.

Table 63: EDs with Highest Proportions Employed in Transport and Communications (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Farranferris B 46.2% Shandon A 17.6% Gillabbey A 14.4%

Ballyphehane B 33.3% Commons 15.5% Commons 14.2%

Greenmount 29.3% Turners Cross D 14.8% Shandon A 14.2%

Knocknaheeny 26.6% Farranferris A 14.5% Gurranebraher E 12.5%

Farranferris C 26.3% Blackpool B 12.7% City Hall A 12.2%

Table 64: EDs with Lowest Proportions Employed in Transport and Communications (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Bishopstown A 0.0% Mardyke 2.8% Mardyke 6.7%

Gillabbey C 0.0% Glasheen A 4.1% Ballyphehane B 5.8%

Tramore A 0.0% Bishopstown B 4.6% Gillabbey B 5.8%

Tramore B 1.3% Bishopstown A 4.7% Sundays Well A 5.3%

City Hall B 1.4% Sundays Well B 5.3% Glasheen B 4.9%

101


PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

This is the fifth greatest employment sector in Cork City and includes employment in Cork

City Council, The Defence Forces, Central Statistics Office, Revenue Commissioners, An Garda

Síochána, Department of Justice and Equality, Department of Social Protection, hospitals and

Third Level Institutes. In Cork City, the City and Suburbs, and the State, employment in this

sector stands at 4.1%, 4.4% and 5.3% respectively. Cork City had a relatively low proportion

in 2016 but during the recession this sector grew from 4.1% in 2006 to 4.9% in 2011 at a time

when ‘construction’ and ‘commerce and trade’ were falling. These results may indicate that as

the economy recovers, public service and administration is a less attractive employment sector.

The EDs with the highest proportions working in Public Administration in 2016 were

Blackpool B, Bishopstown A, Fair Hill A, Tramore B and Knockrea B. These EDs very in their

characteristics, Fair Hill A has a high proportion of ‘unskilled’ whereas Bishopstown A,

Knockrea B and Tramore B have high proportions of ‘skilled’ individuals. Knockrea B has

the second highest proportion of Professional workers.

Table 65: EDs with Highest Proportions Employed in Public Administration (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Gillabbey B 5.4% Turners Cross C 9.3% Blackpool B 8.2%

Togher A 3.6% Blackpool B 8.7% Bishopstown A 8.1%

Shandon B 3.1% Fair Hill A 8.2% Fair Hill A 7.9%

Turners Cross A 2.9% Turners Cross B 8.0% Tramore B 7.3%

South Gate A 2.0% Farranferris B 7.9% Knockrea B 7.1%

The EDs with the lowest proportions working in Public Administration in 2016 were

Commons, Centre B, South Gate A, Sundays Well B and Shandon A. South Gate A, Centre B,

Shandon A and Sundays Well B have the highest population whose nationality is not Irish.

South Gate A and Shandon A are relatively densely populated whereas Commons is one

of the least densely populated.

102


Table 66: EDs with Lowest Proportions Employed in Public Administration (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Ballinlough A 0.0% Centre B 1.0% Commons 1.3%

Ballinlough B 0.0% Gillabbey A 1.2% Centre B 1.2%

Ballyphehane A 0.0% Mardyke 1.4% South Gate A 1.1%

Ballyphehane B 0.0% Shandon A 1.5% Sundays Well B 1.1%

Bishopstown D 0.0% South Gate A 2.1% Shandon A 0.6%

Figure 23: PERSONS AT WORK BY INDUSTRY CORK CITY, 2006 TO 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

Agricultureforestry and

fishing

Building andconstruction

Manufacturingindustries

Commerce andtrade

Transport andcommunications

Publicadministration

Professionalservices

Other

Persons at work by Industry, 2006 -2016, Cork City

2006 2011 2016

Persons at Work by Industry Cork City, 2006 - 2016

103


2.5 Unemployment

The negative effects of unemployment can be multidimensional. A study carried out by

the University of Limerick (2016) found that unemployed persons are more depressed,

stressed, stigmatised and report poorer physical health than those who are employed.33

Research conducted in Ireland, the ‘Growing up in Ireland Study,’ examined the effect

of the recession on families and children. The study found that economic strain caused by

unemployment and falling incomes puts pressure on parents/partners relationships.

The research suggested that poor relationships can undermine children’s mental health

affecting their anxiety levels and can contribute to difficult behaviour at home and at school

with the potential for serious consequences: ‘Anxious, unhappy children do worse in school,

often with long-term consequences for both wealth and health.34

Across the State, the rate of unemployment more than doubled between 2006 and 2011.35

Many employment sectors were negatively affected but males working in the construction

sector, particularly those with low skills bore the brunt of the decline. The recession also caused

the emigration of those who had recently come to Ireland to work but also young Irish people.36

In the middle of 2012, Ireland’s economic recovery began.37 In 2017 Ireland was described as

having the fastest growing economy in Europe38 and one of the consequences of this is falling

unemployment. Between 2011 and 2016 Ireland’s unemployment rate decreased by 30% with

males accounting for 81.1% of this decrease. Across the State in 2011 the unemployment rate

stood at 19% and this reduced to 12.9% by 2016.39 Looking at the difference between male and

female unemployment there was a large disparity between the sexes: the 2011 unemployment

rate for men was 22.3% whilst that for women was much lower at 15.0%. However, the male rate

fell significantly to 13.7% in 2016 and the female rate fell slightly to 12.0%.

For 2006, 2011 and 2016 Cork City’s unemployment rates stood at 6.4%, 12.1% and 8.3%

respectively. Unemployment for males in the city increased from 8.0% in 2006 to 16.1% in 2011

falling to 10.3% in 2016. The rate for females was 4.7% in 2006, increasing to 8.2% in 2011, reducing

to 6.4% in 2016. State-wide in 2016 the male and female rates were 9.3% and 6.6% respectively.

33 - https://www.ul.ie/research/blog/ul-research-shows-how-stress-un-employment-gets-inside-body.

34 - ESRI, Irish Research shows the harmful effects of the recession on Irish Children, growing up in Ireland survey, 2015.

35 - Cork City Profile, 2014.

36 - http://files.nesc.ie/nesc_reports/en/NESC_134_Social_Dimensions_Exec_Summary.pdf.

37 - https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/irish-and-span-ish-recoveries-took-rather-differ-ent-routes-1.3047376.

38 - https://www.irishtimes.com/business/personal-finance/not-feeling-the-economic-recovery-you-re-not-alone-1.3164113.

39 - Statbank, EZ005: Rates for Labour Force Participation and Unem-ployment 2011 to 2016 by Sex, Age Group, County and City, Detailed Marital Status, Census Year and Statistic.

104


In 2018 unemployment continues to fall. The seasonally adjusted rate in February was 6%,

down from 7.3% in February 2017, the lowest level since May 2008. For those aged 15-24

(youth unemployment) the rate remained high at 13.2% this February.40

Figure 24 illustrates that areas of high unemployment are concentrated in the RAPID areas

of Knocknaheeny/Churchfield and Blackpool/The Glen/Mayfield.

The following two tables illustrate the EDs with the highest and lowest proportions of

unemployed. In the main, the same EDs feature each census year. The tables illustrate that

the unemployment rate increased considerably between 2006 and 2011 and largely recovered

between 2011 and 2016.

Most EDs with the highest proportions of unemployed are designated RAPID areas and

those that aren’t are located around the north inner city. The RAPID EDs featured also

have relatively high proportions of those who describe themselves as ‘un-skilled,’ with low

educational attainment, living in high social housing neighbourhoods with high proportions

of people with disabilities. Knocknaheeny, Farranferris B, Mayfield and The Glen A are also

amongst the most deprived EDs in Cork City.

The EDs with the lowest proportions of unemployed also remain consistent over the

censuses. Some of these EDs are designated as affluent, Bishopstown A, Gillabbey C,

Knockrea A and Browningstown with education levels of third level degree or higher,

likely demonstrating an association between higher education, affluence and employability.

A number of EDs with high employment levels also have high proportions of students:

Bishopstown A, Gillabbey C and Gillabbey B.

Figure 24: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15 OR OVER THAT ARE UNEMPLOYED OR LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST REGULAR JOB, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO) )

40 - https://www.rte.ie/news/busi-ness/2018/0227/943902-unem-ployment-rate-continues-to-fall-according-to-CSO/.

Togher

Mahon



Churchfield


Farranree


PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15 AND OVER THAT ARE UNEMPLOYED OR LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST REGULAR JOB, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas




Mahon

Togher

Less than 3%

3% to 7%

7% to 11%

11% to 15%

Greater than 15%

105


Table 67: Unemployed or Looking for First Regular Job, Highest Proportions, (% of Those Aged 15+) (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

The Glen A 14.6% Knocknaheeny 23.8% Knocknaheeny 18.2%

Knocknaheeny 13.9% The Glen A 23.0% Mayfield 16.8%

Mayfield 12.3% Farranferris A 20.6% The Glen A 16.5%

Farranferris B 12.1% Gurranebraher C 20.2% Farranferris B 14.9%

Gurranebraher B 11.7% Mayfield 19.5% Blackpool A 14.3%

Table 68: Unemployed or Looking for First Regular Job, Lowest Proportions (% of Those Aged 15+) (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Knockrea A 2.1% Gillabbey C 3.0% Browningstown 2.2%

Gillabbey C 2.1% Browningstown 4.3% Tramore B 2.6%

Browningstown 2.2% Bishopstown A 4.4% Gillabbey C 2.9%

Gillabbey B 2.3% Tramore B 4.5% Mahon C 3.0%

Bishopstown D 2.4% Tramore A 4.8% Bishopstown A 3.1%

41 - The Register also numerates those in receipt of a number of other statutory entitlements.

42 - The QNHS provides national aver-age unemployment figures.

LIVE REGISTER

Live Register figures are compiled from data returned from each local office to the Central

Statistics Office by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP).

The Register is made up of persons under the age of 65 who are ‘signing on’ and includes

individuals who are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) excluding systematic short-term

workers, and those applying for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) with some exclusions.41

The Register is not a register of ‘unemployment’. A person can work for up to three days a

week and partake in seasonal or casual work and still be entitled to JA or JB. The figures

presented below are described as the ‘Monthly Unemployment Release’ as opposed to the

‘Quarterly Unemployment Release42’ which is measured by the Quarterly National Household

Survey (QNHS). Although not a measure of unemployment, Live Register data is valuable

because it provides an insight into labour market trends, is published each month and is

106


available at ‘local office’ level. The QNHS provides average unemployment figures and

is published four times a year on a Regional (8 Regions) basis. Cork is in the ‘South West’

region which also includes Kerry.43

Persons who ‘register’ at a local office may not reside in that office’s precisely

delineated geographic area. There are two local offices in Cork City, Hanover Street

and Abbeycourt, and registrants at these offices may not necessarily live in Cork City.

In April 2008,44 five months before the recession, 8,969 persons were on the Live

Register in Cork City. Within three years, by April 2011, numbers more than doubled and

reached 19,606. Between then and 2013 they decreased by approximately 1,000 each

year and from 2013 to 2017 they fell to 10,176, relatively close to the pre-recession figure.

The following table shows the Live Register figures and percentage changes from April

2015 to 2017. The results show numbers decreased from 14,220 to 10,176 (highlighted

in purple). They show that for those aged under 25, the decrease was greater in the first

year than the second (in yellow). Of those aged under 25, male figures decreased to

a greater extent than female (green).

43 - https://www.inou.ie/empmeasure/.

44 - Cork City Profile, 2014, page 42.

Table 69: Cork City Live Register Figures, April 2015 to April 2017 (Source: CSO)

Cork City (Totals) Apr -15 % Change Apr -16 % Change Apr -17

Both sexes Under 25 years 1865 -24.8% 1403 -20.3% 1118

25 years

and over

12355 -12.7% 10785 -16.0% 9058

All ages 14220 -14.3% 12188 -16.5% 10176

Male Under 25 years 1187 -24.8% 893 -21.4% 702

25 years

and over

8180 -13.1% 7108 -17.2% 5882

All ages 9367 -14.6% 8001 -17.7% 6584

Female Under 25 years 678 -24.8% 510 -18.4% 416

25 years

and over

4175 -11.9% 3677 -13.6% 3176

All ages 4853 -13.7% 4187 -14.2% 3592

107


YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

In terms of age and unemployment, nationally, those aged 15-24 years old is the largest

age group.45

Youth unemployment is defined as the number of 15-24-year olds who are unemployed.

Since the recession, levels of youth unemployment have fallen across Europe, including

Ireland, but they remain too high,46 generally double the overall unemployment rate. In

March 2018 the rate in Ireland was 12.5%.47 In Cork (City and County) there were 624

young people (aged under 26) in receipt of Jobseeker’s allowance with 0 in receipt of

Jobseeker’s Benefit at the end of February 2018.48

One of the main concerns on the issue of youth unemployment is that the longer this

population remains unemployed, the greater the long-term impact on their careers

and quality of life49 and the recommendation is that a new apprenticeship model should

focus on skills shortages to satisfy job market demands. According to Ibec, due to

strong employment growth, the Irish market is already experiencing skills shortages

in the medium term in a range of sectors primarily in professional occupations across

ICT, Engineering, Science, Health, Business and, to a lesser degree, Construction.50

45 - Statbank, Seasonally Adjusted Monthly Unemployment by Sex, Age Group.

46 - https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/youth-unemployment-still-too-high-dra-ghi-459565.html.

47 - https://tradingeconomics.com/ireland/youth-unemployment-rate.

48 - https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-03-22/287/#pq-answers.

49 - https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/re-port-highlights-stubbornly-high-youth-un-employment-and-effect-of-dublins-hous-ing-shortage-808159.html (02.10.17).

50 - https://www.ibec.ie/IBEC/Press/PressPublicationsdoclib3.nsf/vPages/Newsroom~radical-reforms-needed-to-im-prove-female-participation-09-10-2016/$-file/Labour+Market+Participation+of+-Women+Oct+2016.pdf.

108


LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is the number in the labour force (those at work

or unemployed) expressed as a percentage of the total population aged 15+.51 Of the 31 Local

Authorities in the State, Cork City had the lowest labour force participation rate (55.2%) in

2016, as it had in 2011. The average rate for the State was 61.4% in 2016 (down from 61.9% in

2011) and the highest was Fingal at 68.4%. The LFPR generally increased in Cork City from

1996 to 2016 from 51.2% to 55.2% respectively. Despite this upward trend this is a low LFPR

which has implications for the economy: it undermines economic growth, puts pressure on

the tax base, and time out of the labour market impacts workers’ future employment earnings

and potential due to lost experience.52 International evidence suggests a number of potential

causes for a low LFPR: workers ill-fit for available jobs, unavailability of work (particularly

as an increase in trade and technology jobs reduce the demand for a less-skilled workforce,

principally in the manufacturing sector, and the short supply of able (due to disability) and

willing workers.53

Cork City’s low participation rate (compared with the national rate) may be somewhat and

tentatively explained by the higher than average proportion of students and those unable

to work due to sickness or disability and the marginally higher proportion of retired persons.54

Discussion in the United States on how to address their declining LFPR includes: proposals to

tailor education and training programmes geared towards providing skills which the economy

demands, the reduction of disincentives to work and the encouragement of more women into

the workforce with ‘family-friendly’ policies.

Figure 25: CORK CITY, LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE, 1996-2016

51 - http://www.CSO.ie/en/media/CSOie/newsevents/documents/census2016summaryresultspart2/Chapter_1_Labour_force_participa-tion.pdf.

52 - https://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnamathur/2016/05/25/the-con-cerning-drop-in-workforce-partic-ipation-and-role-of-family-friend-ly-policies/#7f1f11be5c6c.

53 - https://www.brookings.edu/blog/social-mobility-mem-os/2017/02/03/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-declining-labor-force-participation-rate/ (Includes submissions from authors: Nick Eberstadt, Alan Krueger, Ron Haskins, Francine D. Blau, Lawrence M. Kahn). February 3, 2017.

54 - https://www.brookings.edu/blog/social-mobility-memos/2017/02/03/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-declining-labor-force-participation-rate/ (Includes submis-sions from authors: Nick Eberstadt, Alan Krueger, Ron Haskins, Francine D. Blau, Lawrence M. Kahn). February 3, 2017.

51.2%

52.2%

54.6%54.4%

55.2%

1996 2002 2008 2014

Labour Force Participation Rate, Cork Cuty, 1996 to 2016 Labour Force Participation Rate

Cork City, 1996 - 2016

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