Dole passes 400,000 for first time ever

THE number of people on the dole has passed 400,000 for the first time and now accounts for one in five of the working population.

According to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the number on the live register in May 2009 was 402,100. That is 13,500 more than last month and almost double the 207,000 figure for May 2008.

The monthly increase was made up of 8,800 men and 4,700 women.