The number of people signing on the Live Register passed 200,000 in May and has risen by 31 per cent in 12 months, according to figures released by the CSO this morning.
In the 12 months between May 2007 and May 2008 the numbers signing of for unemployment assistance has risen by 47,746 and it now at its highest level since January 1999.
The unadjusted increase in the year to April 2008 was 41,279, or 26.7 per cent.
The seasonally adjusted total increased from 199,700 in April to 207,300 in May, an increase of 7,600. By comparison, the average monthly increase in the seasonally adjusted Live Register during 2008 was 7,000 up to April.
The monthly increase comprises 4,100 men and an 3,400 women. The standardised unemployment rate in May was 5.4 per cent. This compares with 4.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.
In the month of May, the estimated number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register was 10,462 men and 13,980 women.
The Live Register does not measure unemployment as it includes part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers who are entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance.
Unemployment is measured by the CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey and the latest seasonally adjusted figure, for December to February 2008, shows there are 106,200 people unemployed.
Fine Gael’s spokesman on enterprise, trade and employment Leo Varadkar called on Tanaiste Mary Coughlan to make a statement in the Dail on what he called an “emerging crisis”.
“The Government claims rising unemployment is an international phenomenon, but job losses are actually falling across most of Europe,” he said.
“These figures should be setting off alarm bells in the Government. However, it does not even seem to realise there is a problem. We simply cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the increasing numbers out of work. I believe we need a Government-led strategy to turn the situation around.”
He called for a total overhaul of the State’s training agency Fás as well as a renewed focus on restoring competitiveness by reducing the cost of doing business and the cost of taking on new employees.
Labour’s employment spokesman Willie Penrose said there must be “continued concern” on the decline in the construction sector and called for a “specific plan of action” to target workers in this area.
“These figures present an ideal opportunity for the Government to step up activity in the school building programme.
“In this way we can deliver on badly-needed school buildings for our children, while at the same time, maintaining the level of construction employment in the economy.”
