Unemployment has increased significantly to 4.4 per cent according to the latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this morning.
The number of people on the live register rose by 4.8 per cent in the month of July.
The largest monthly increase in numbers was in Dublin where there was a rise of 6.3 per cent.
The monthly increase of 7,821 persons reflected increases The Mid-West (+5.3 per cent) and West (+5.2 per cent).
Overall, numbers rose by 7,821 persons in the month to 172,098, companed to an increase of 6,236 (+4.4 per cent) for July of last year.
In the year to July 2002 there was an increase of 24,997.
The underlying upward movement in the series continues with the seasonally adjusted monthly total increasing from 163,400 in June to 165,000 in July, an increase of 1,600.
The figures also show that:
- The increase of 7,821 comprised increases of 5,580 females and 2,241 males.
- The annual increase of 24,997 comprised increases of 15,439 males and 9,558 females.
- The standardised unemployment rate in July was 4.4 per cent. This compares with 3.7 per cent in April 2001, based on the Quarterly National Household Survey.
- In the month the estimated number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register was 7,966 males and 11,235 females.
The Live Register is not regarded as accurate a measure of unemployment as the Quarterly National Household Survey figures expected later this month. However, it does provide an indicator of short-term trends.