There was a slight increase in the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in August, according to CSO figures released today.
The seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased from 162,000 in August to 164,200 in September, an increase of 2,200 or 1.3 per cent.
In the year to September 2007, there was a 5.5 per cent rise in the number of people on the Live Register, bringing the overall unemployment rate in Ireland to 4.7 per cent.
The number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register in September was 7,686 males and 11,582 females.
There was an unadjusted monthly decrease of 13,554 (-7.8 per cent) last month, which reflected decreases in all regions.
The largest percentage fall on the register was in the Mid West region, which recorded an 11 per cent reduction in those claiming unemployment benefit, the smallest percentage decrease was in the South-West region with a 5.8 per cent reduction.
The Labour Party's enterprise and employment spokesman Willie Penrose said the fall in the unadjusted figure could not mask the vulnerability of the labour market to the fall-off in construction employment.
"Ireland must move back to the cutting edge of technology education, telecommunications provision and, most importantly, general transport and health infrastructure," Mr Penrose said.
Alan McQuaid chief economist with Bloxham stockbrokers said the figures were weaker than expected but "the overall trend in the labour market remains positive, with many employers across a wide range of industries seeking to recruit new staff".