25,000 lose jobs as workforce soars

MORE than 2,000 people were made redundant every month last year, yet the overall numbers in work reached their highest levels in the history of the State.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment yesterday revealed 15,632 men and 9,827 women lost their jobs in 2007, making a total of 25,459.

And a survey carried out by recruitment firm Berkley revealed workers still have confidence in the economy with 62% reckoning they will get a pay rise in line with inflation at 5% or a hike of as much as 8%.