Unemployment rises 7.5% among men under 20

Conor Keane, Business Correspondent

Figures released yesterday by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed that in the six months to April, the total number of males signing the Live Register for unemployment assistance increased by 1,062 (+1.2%). The largest increase was in the age group under 20 years (+7.5%), while the largest decrease was in the 55-59 year age group (-3.9%).

However, the overall numbers signing on fell by 1,335 to 152,709 (154,044) with women faring better in the employment stakes than men.