ISME: Live register figures are 'horrendous'

The Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has issued a warning that job losses will continue, particularly in the first quarter of 2010, unless the Government immediately implements policies to tackle the problem.

ISME Chief Executive Mark Fielding said: "The latest seasonally adjusted live register figures confirm that a massive 426,700 people are claiming assistance, up 133,700 on the corresponding period last year, representing an increase of 46%. Consequently, the standardised unemployment rate stands at 12.5%, up from 8.5% at the start of 2009."