Unemployment doubles in 12 towns during 2008

Twelve towns have seen the number of residents signing on for unemployment benefits double during 2008.

Portlaoise in Co Laois, Monaghan, Westport, Co Mayo and Navan, Co Meath were among the towns where the numbers signing doubled over the last 12 months.

The figures are based on returns from 122 social welfare offices nationwide compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and come as unemployment rose to a 10-year high of 8.3 per cent in December, with 291,000 unemployment claimants on the Live Register.

Of these, 22,777 signed on for the first time last month. The most severe job losses last month in percentage terms were in the Midwest region where the numbers on the live register rose by 9.3 per cent.

There were almost 26,000 people on the register from counties Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary in December, an increase of 10,500.

However, over the last 12 months the mid-east region including the commuter counties of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow has seen the largest increase in unemployment with a percentage increase of 86.9 per cent bringing the number of residents signing on to 26,500.

Social welfare offices in Dublin reported the lowest percentage increase in those signing on over the last 12 months with a rise of 65.1 per cent to 67,505 people.

More than one in five, or 55,455 of those on the live register last month, were foreign nationals.

Over the last year 89,766 Irish nationals and 31,221 foreign nationals have lost their jobs.

While the number of males losing their jobs has increased in all regions, the largest percentage month-on-month rise was in the midlands. Some 14,819 men in the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath were signing on in December, up over 10 per cent on the previous month.

The other towns where the numbers on the live register doubled last year include: Ballybofey, Co Donegal; Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, Ballinrobe Co Mayo; Kells, Co Meath; Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Cahir and Cashel in Co Tipperary; Carrigaline, Co Cork and Killorglin, Co Kerry.