The number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose by 2,338 in August, according to figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The south-east was the only region to record a fall in the live register in August.
The biggest increase in the jobless was in Dublin where an additional 613 signed on the dole in August, reflecting recent job losses in technology firms.
After adjusting for seasonal factors, the live register rose by 1,400 over the month to 149,439, the CSO said.
But despite the monthly increase, the number of claimants has fallen by 9,700 in the past 12 months.
The standardised unemployment rate remained at 3.7 per cent at the end of August. This figure was unchanged from the last Quarterly National Household Survey in April.
Commenting on the Live Register figures today the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Ms Harney said "Despite the increase in the Live Register the employment position in Ireland is still strong.
Our unemployment remains below 4 per cent one of the lowest in the EU, while the long term unemployment rate stands at just over one per cent."
But according to Mr Tony Monks general secretary of the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) the figures confirms that unemployment is again on the increase.
" These figures point out quite starkly that unemployment is on the rise and impacting on people and communities across the country." Mr Monks said.
They reinforce the need for the Government to redouble its efforts to attract new industry and to stimulate the growth of the indigenous sector" he added.