Live Register figures increase by 2,600

The number of people on the Live Register increased in July.

Seasonally adjusted figures from the Central Statistics Office showed that 158,900 were on the Live Register in July compared with 156,300 in June - a rise of 2,600.

The growth was seen throughout the country, with the largest percentage increase in the Midland region (7.0 per cent) and the smallest in the South-East region (4.8 per cent). On a county basis, Offaly topped the tables with a 9 per cent increase, with Cavan close behind at 7.6 per cent.

Unadjusted figures for the year to July 2005 saw a decrease of 5.1 per cent, compared with an unadjusted decrease of 5.7 per cent in the year to June 2005.

Estimates put the number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register at 7,735 males and 12,193 females.

Labour Party spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Brendan Howlin, said recent closures in the manufacturing sector across the country may be responsible for the increase.

"The Government must be concerned at the continued haemorrhaging of jobs in the manufacturing sector," he said.

"Today's figures must provoke the Government into devising new strategies to ensure the endurance of Ireland's traditional manufacturing industry, and not rely on jobs in other areas to sustain the economy."

The Green Party described it as worrying economic indicator, particularly when taken together with rising oil prices and falling manufacturing output.

"Clearly the Government must be taken to task for failing to put in place policies such as the promotion of renewable energy that would have helped counter this economic adjustment," said Dan Boyle, Green Party Finance spokesman.

Unemployment in Ireland now stands at 4.3 per cent, an increase of 0.1 per cent on figures recorded in January. However, it is still far below the EU average, which recent data puts at 8.8 per cent.