The number of people on the live register fell by a record number during the 12 months to the end of May, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) yesterday. The numbers signing on now constitute 4.6 per cent of the workforce, or 152,871 persons. The fall in the numbers signing on from May 1999 to May 2000 was 39,359. During May the live register fell by 8,925, though when this is seasonally adjusted the underlying decrease during the month was 4,300. The seasonally-adjusted figures for April and May were affected by the lateness of the Easter holidays this year.

The live register fell in all regions during May, with the greatest drop occurring in Dublin where the numbers fell by 2,460.

The unemployment rate of 4.6 per cent compares with 5.7 per cent in April 1999, the latter figure being based on the Quarterly National Household Survey.

The household survey is a better measure of the unemployment rate as the live register includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers.

The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said the target set out for the Employment Action Plan, which was to bring unemployment down to 5 per cent by the year's end, had now been achieved.

"I am delighted that we are continuing to make progress in reducing the numbers of unemployed even further."

She said the 4.6 per cent who remained unemployed had to be a priority for the Government and it would continue to pursue policies which would address their plight. "A significant element of the Government's efforts are now directed at upskilling and retraining of the workforce to ensure that all those who want to work can find employment."

The general secretary of the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed, Mr Tony Monks, welcomed the drop in the live register figures but said that until long-term unemployment was eradicated full employment would not have been reached.

"There are still more than 50,000 people who have been out of work for a year or more," Mr Monks said.

"We need to create real opportunities for these people to get decent, sustainable work."

The last time the live register figures were at today's level was in 1982, when unemployment was over 20 per cent.

The same number of people were experiencing severe exclusion as there were in the early 1980s, said Mr Monks.

For these people, their families and the INOU, the problem remained a serious one.