Top jobless blackspots revealed

THE west Cork town of Bantry has emerged as one of the country’s biggest unemployment black spots, according to official figures.

The social welfare office in the harbour town has seen a 174.8% growth in the number of people signing on the Live Register over the past 12 months — the highest percentage increase of any of the country’s 122 main jobless centres.

A total of 1,110 people are now claiming dole payments in Bantry compared to just 404 a year ago — an increase of 706.