The number of people signing on to the Live Register rose slightly in October, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The seasonally adjusted Live Register rose to 155,400 in October from 155,300 in September. This compares with a decrease of 2,900 in September.

In the year to October, there was an unadjusted decrease of 1,138 in the number of people signing on, a drop of 0.8 per cent,compared with an unadjusted decrease of 1,028, or 0.7 per cent, in the year to September.

Although the Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment as it includes part-time and seasonal workers, the CSO said that the standardised unemployment rate in October was 4.4 per cent.

There was an unadjusted monthly decrease of 3,801, or 2.5 per cent, on the Live Register in October, which reflected decreases in all regions, the CSO said.

Labour Party spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment Ruairí Quinn said the increase in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate indicated that the drop in unemployment during September was a blip against an ongoing trend.

"Ignoring September's figures, the Live Register has been increasing every month since the beginning of 2006," he said.

"Rising inflation, particularly in energy costs, is putting more and more businesses at risk. The Government is failing to take action."

Ireland was in danger of losing its manufacturing interests to cheaper economies, he said.

However, Bloxham Stockbroker's chief economist Alan McQuaid said that overall labour market developments remained very positive.

"Based on the figures for the first half of the year, it looks like average employment growth in 2006 will again be at least 85,000. As regards the Live Register, an average total of 157,400 is now forecast for 2006, up marginally from 157,100 in 2005," he said.