The number of people claiming unemployment benefits increased slightly in August but the longer term trend reflects a buoyant labour market, the latest official statistics show today.
The seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased from 158,900 in July to 159,100 in August, according to the Central Statistics Office.
In the year to August 2005, there was an unadjusted decrease of 6,423 (-3.7 per cent). This compares with an unadjusted decrease of 8,992 (-5.1 per cent) in the year to July 2005.
The standardised unemployment rate in August was 4.3 per cent. This compares with 4.2 per cent in January 2005, based on the Quarterly National Household Survey.
The Live Register includes part-time workers, seasonal 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 2005, is 84,700 persons unemployed.