The Live Register rose by 1,200 in seasonally adjusted terms last month, bringing its total level to a 13-month high.

Analysts said the figures added to what was a weak month for the economy, while Fine Gael and Labour condemned the development and accused the Government of failing to act on Ireland's declining economic competitiveness.

The total number of persons claiming benefit fell by 977 to 154,566 in April, figures from the Central Statistics Office revealed yesterday. But when seasonal influences are taken into account, the total was 158,200, compared to a seasonally-adjusted level of 157,000 in March.

According to unadjusted and adjusted measures, the number of claimants was some 3,000 higher last month, compared with April 2005.

Dublin and the Midlands have taken the brunt of the rise, with increases of 1,382 and 652 respectively over the year. The numbers signing on in the West, Mid-West and Border regions fell in that time.

Rossa White, economist with Davy stockbrokers, said the figures were the latest in a series of disappointing indicators for April. "It was the highest total on the register for 13 months," he said. "Perhaps more significantly, the 2 per cent year-on-year jump in claimants was the biggest per cent increase for more than two years."

Mr White added that the Live Register would provide an important indication of economic trends in the coming year. "It is not a lagging indicator, in contrast to most official labour market releases.

"Numbers claiming benefit bottomed in February 2001, coinciding exactly with the peak of the last economic boom. We would not go as far as to say that we have reached that point in this cycle, but this indicator is well worth watching over the next year," he said.

The standardised unemployment rate remained steady at 4.5 per cent.

Ruairí Quinn, TD and Labour Party spokesman on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, yesterday condemned the figures.

"Recent business closures and downsizings across the country indicate a worrying trend. Moreover, today's announcement by NTL that it is to shed at least 6,000 jobs across its operations may also affect Ireland," he said.

Fine Gael spokesman on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Phil Hogan TD, said the figures were a sign of declining competitiveness.

"In spite of warnings to the Government by the National Competitiveness Council, it is clear there is still no comprehensive policy by the Government to keep costs down and generate more competition in sheltered sectors of the economy," he said.