The numbers of people signing on the live register has fallen by 4,000 to 182,000, the lowest level since February 1983, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

In the 12 months to October the live register decreased by 34,500, the second largest annual drop on record and the Republic's unemployment rate now stands at 5.2 per cent, down from 5.4 per cent in September.

The live register is not an accurate measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment assistance or benefit. But it does give an indication of the monthly trend.

The number claiming unemployment benefit normally decreases in October due mainly to the start of the college term. Last month the register fell by 8,238 to 177,945, a larger drop than would normally be expected at the time of year.

Almost 45 per cent of the monthly decrease on the live register was for persons aged under 25, while the number of men and women signing on in October fell by 5,161 and by 3,077 respectively.

The CSO stresses that the quarterly National Household Survey, the next issue of which is due out in early December, will provide a more accurate measure of unemployment. The survey figures show a much lower rate than the live register, with the latest figures for March-May showing a total of 96,900 people.

A spokeswoman for the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed said that while the group welcomed the figures it was concerned the government would stop addressing unemployment once the rate fell below 5 per cent.

"Our definition of full employment is not having any people long-term unemployed and bringing short-term unemployment to a negligible level," she said.

The INOU believes that achieving full employment is a challenge the Government must take up and is financially viable and necessary for long-term economic stability.

The labour spokesman on social and community affairs, Mr Tommy Broughan, said the elimination of unemployment should be a priority in the negotiations leading up to a new national agreement.

He said: "Our low unemployment rate could push the main social partners into complacency when they enter into negotiations on a new national agreement. However, with the rate so low, it is now possible to invest in a programme to eliminate unemployment completely."