Hanafin says dole figures ‘encouraging’ despite monthly rise

AN extra 900 people joined the dole queues in November, after the previous month’s figure showed the first decline in the numbers signing on in two years.

According to latest figures from the CSO, the seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased from 422,500 in October to 423,400 last month. The monthly increase consisted of an increase of 1,700 men and a decrease of 900 women.

The average weekly increase in November was 225 people, which compares with a weekly decrease of 600 the previous month. However, despite last month’s rise, the unemployment rate has remained static at 12.5%.