The number of people on the Live Register increased by 5.1 per cent, or 8,549, in July, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
This compares with an increase of 4.3 per cent or 7,595, in July of last year.
A total of 177,501 people signed on in July. According to the CSO, when seasonal factors are taken into account, the total increased from 166,400 in June to 169,300 in July, a rise of 2,900.
In the year to July 2004, there was a decrease of 7,946 (4.3 per cent) in the numbers signing on, compared to an annual decrease of 8,900 (5 per cent) in the year to June 2004, the CSO said.
The Live Register does not measure unemployment. It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week) and casual workers entitled to unemployment assistance or benefit.
Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey and the latest seasonally adjusted figure for December to February 2004 shows there are 85,500 people unemployed in the State.