More people signing on Live Register for third month in a row

7 Jul 2006

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed is concerned at the rise in Live Register numbers in recent months. The adjusted monthly increase of 1,500 is the third monthly increase in a row. The total (adjusted) for June of 160,300 is the highest amount since October 2004, and now represents an unemployment rate of 4.5%. “These figures are a worrying sign that unemployment is not under control, despite perceptions of a booming economy”, said Mr. Eric Conroy, General Secretary.

“There is a very real danger that if the construction industry peaks, coupled with significant interest rate increases we could be in for unemployment shocks in the near future”, he added.

The redundancy figures for the first half of the year were released earlier this week, and show that more people have been made redundant for the first six months of 2006 compared to the similar period in 2005. Redundancies in the manufacturing industry, particularly traditional manufacturing, remain very high. The new National Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016 includes an initiative to address the ongoing difficulties faced by the manufacturing sector. “It is very important that the Social Partners seriously tackle these major challenges”, said Mr. Conroy. “It is also equally important that the current upward trend in the Live Register is halted” he added.