The number of people signing on the dole fell by 1,293 in the month of May to 154,944. But the seasonally adjusted total increased, according to data released today by the Central Statistics Office.
The seasonally adjusted figure rose by 2,300 to 161,300 in May, the CSO said. The monthly increase of 2,300 in the seasonally adjusted figure comprised increases of 1,900 females and 400 males.
The standardised unemployment rate in May was 4.2 per cent compared with 3.7 per cent in April 2001, based on the Quarterly National Household Survey.