The number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose slightly in February, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The seasonally adjusted figure was up 200 to 157,600, adding to the increase of 400 in January. The current unemployment rate is 4.5 per cent.
February's Live Register figures estimate the number of casual and part-time workers was 8,075 males and 13,219 females.
The numbers were revealed as new hopes were raised that 300 jobs at the Jacobs Fruitfield factory at Tallaght, Dublin, could still be saved.
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Staff at the factory were yesterday told the biscuit factory would close within weeks unless a survival plan they rejected last weekend was implemented.