Lucy Masterson

The challenge

Currently, in Ireland, 14.3% of people are unemployed and there is no sign of economic recovery. Unemployment leads to the breakdown of the fabric of Irish society causing social isolation, mental health problems and anti-social behaviour.

The vision

Hireland encourages job creation for Ireland’s skilled unemployed through collective entrepreneurship and positive thinking. Hireland is reframing the debate around unemployment, changing the dialogue from one of ‘firing’ to ‘hiring’. Hireland encourages SMEs all around the country to consider the benefits of hiring an additional member of staff. The company then ‘pledges’ that job online to signify their commitment to creating employment. With over 3000 pledges already this year and 600 jobs created, Hireland has received a great initial response. It is drawing on the power of the collective to act as a catalyst to stimulate job creation. It’s about a positive, confident movement, where one job will lead to another if people who own and work in Irish business take collective action to break the downward cycle that is choking growth in towns and cities across the country.

Website: www.hireland.ie