Jobless numbers fall during September

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits decreased in September as the seasonally adjusted Live Register fell by 2,900 to 155,300.

The figures - published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) - compare with an increase of 600 people registered as being unemployed in August.

The figures show that of the 2,900 decrease recorded, 2,000 were female and 900 were male.

Over the previous 12 months, there was an unadjusted decrease of 1,028 (-0.7 per cent). This compares with an unadjusted increase of 221 (+0.1 per cent) in the year to August 2006.

The standardised unemployment rate in September was 4.4 per cent, compared with 4.4 per cent, the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from the Quarterly National Household Survey.

There was an unadjusted monthly decrease of 17,307 (-10.2 per cent) on the Live Register in September 2006, which reflected decreases in all regions.

The largest percentage decrease was in the Mid-East (-12.5 per cent) while the smallest percentage decrease was in the Midland region (-8.2 per cent).

Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt welcomed the Live Register figures.

"Year-on-year the numbers signing on are decreasing, reflecting the continuing strength of our underlying labour market performance," said the Minister of State.

"Our unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent continues to be one of the very lowest in the EU, and the outlook remains favourable for the period ahead."