Number signing on to Live Register falls 3,500 in June

The Live Register fell by 3,500 in June, new data from the Central Statistics Office showed, bringing the total number signing on to 305,600.

The total number of claimants on the register has fallen by 40,637 or 11.4 per cent over the past year.

The seasonally adjusted figures showed a fall of 2,900 in the number of male claimants in the month, a 1.6 per cent decline, while the number of women signing on was down 600, or 0.5 per cent, compared to the previous month.

Long term claimants fell by 13.6 per cent in the year to 143,832. However, they still accounted for 45.5 per cent of the total register, down from 46.7 per cent 12 months ago.

The Live Register also includes casual and part-time workers, which made up 20 per cent of the total, with some 63,748 workers signing on.

Isme, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, welcomed the downward trend in the numbers but highlighted a monthly increase of 3,334 in the long-term unemployed total.

Chief executive Mark Fielding said: “In the aftermath of the Brexit vote it is essential that Government take firm action to address cost competitiveness, access to finance and late payments.”

“By taking this action Government will be contributing directly to the viability of small businesses and job creation,” he said.

Isme reiterated its advice to employers to stand firm on wage claims while calling for a full benchmark and overhaul of all government influenced business costs with a target of a reduction to below the EU average for all within one year.

“If both Government and its agencies are clear in their ambition to address the Brexit issue and create jobs, then they must do everything to reduce the cost of doing business. When employment costs rise SMEs are less likely to take on new staff,“ Mr Fielding said.