02/02/2011

Live Register Falls

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Ireland fell by 6,900 in January to 439,200, according to seasonally adjusted figures this morning.

The figures from the Central Statistics Office said January's unadjusted figure rose by 5,598 to 442,667, but when compared to the usual rate of drop offs recorded in January, the figure was a relative reduction.

The estimated unemployment rate was 0.2% than in December, showing an annual average rate of 13.3% for the whole of last year.

The CSO also said that there were 46,115 new claimants on the Live Register in January, up from 42,615 in December.

Also this morning, new Minister of State Dara Calleary, also welcomed what he claimed were three further separate but "equally encouraging" announcements on the Irish economy.

Minister Calleary said that according to reports published today, consumer sentiment experienced a boost while the manufacturing sector grew at its fastest pace in more than 11 years. The minister also welcomed figures that suggested that the number of company insolvencies dropped by 13% in January compared to the same month last year.

Minister Calleary said: “With so much politics in the news today, it would have been easy to miss these important and positive stories about the economy. Today’s news is especially encouraging, coming as it does, in the wake of other positive economic indicators – such as record exports, significant inward investment and a major boost in car sales.”

He added, “Ireland faces many problems, but it isn’t ‘destroyed’ or ‘banjaxed’ as Labour claims.”

However, Labour's spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment Willie Penrose said the Live Register Figures represented the twentieth month in succession in which the level of unemployment was over 400,000.

"At 442,667 these are the highest January figures ever recorded and come on top of the December statistics which were, in turn, the highest end of year figures every recorded.

Everyone knows that the figure would be even higher, were it not for the phenomenon of resumed emigration"

(DW)

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