The number of people signing on to the Live Register in Ireland increased by 1,200 between March and April, new figures have shown.
According to the Central Statistics Office, the seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased to 158,200 in April from 157,000 in March, compared with a decrease of 600 in the previous period.
An extra 700 men and 500 women signed on to the Register during the period. The unemployment rate is still reasonably low at 4.5 per cent.
However, the news has already drawn reaction from Opposition parties, with the Labour Party spokesperson for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Ruairí Quinn, describing the change as disturbing.
"Recent business closures and downsizings across the country indicate a worrying trend," he said.
Mr Quinn accused the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Mr Martin, of not considering the closures and jobs cuts important.
He urged Mr Martin to act on the current wave of job cuts before the situation escalated.