The numbers signing on the live register fell by 4,000 people in November to a 17-year low of 178,600, according to the Central Statistics Office. The unemployment rate now stands at 5.1 per cent, a decrease of 0.1 of a percentage point on October. The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said the Government's target of reducing unemployment to 5 per cent - originally planned to occur by 2005 - was now "well within reach". However, the Quarterly National Household surveys are regarded as a better indicator of unemployment because live register figures include some part-time and casual workers. The latest household survey is expected later this month for the June to August period.
Ms Harney said the decline pointed to a significant tightening of the labour market but work incentive measures announced in the Budget, including an extra 5,000 places on the back-to-work scheme, would reduce the rate further. Live register figures have decreased in recent years, and have dropped from 214,000 in the past 12 months, a fall of 35,400. The last time the numbers were lower was in December 1982, when the seasonally unadjusted figure was 175,800. According to the CSO analysis, almost 60 per cent of the November decrease was for females and a quarter of those who signed off were under 25.
Ms Noleen Hartigan, a spokeswoman for the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, said the continuing decline in the unemployment numbers was welcome and proved the unemployed were willing to work.
"But this has to be seen in the context of this week's Budget which is the worst ever for lowpaid workers and the unemployed, and offers those on low income only £3.55 a week back in tax."
