Jobless figure rises 45% in worst hit mid-east

THE biggest regional increase in unemployment year-on-year is in the mid-east counties of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow where the 20,980 people on the live register was up 6,500 on July last year — a 45% hike.

The rise may reflect job losses in Dublin as many people living in these counties are likely to be commuters.

The social welfare office in Trim, Co Meath, had almost 600 more people signing on last month than a year earlier, a massive 58% jump to 1,595.